611.1731/190: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:30 p.m.]
66. Department’s 34 (1). With regard to sugar the main difficulty is political, in view of the fact that principal stockholders of [Page 814] Nicaraguan Sugar Estates Limited have conservative affiliations. Conservative organ La Prensa is attacking treaty violently and Government fears conservative opposition in Congress. Federico Sacasa realizes that we cannot commit ourselves as to the future with respect to Nicaraguan sugar quota but states it would be most helpful if I should address to Minister for Foreign Affairs an informal letter, not for publication, to the following effect:
“I am authorized by my Government to say that, fully appreciating Nicaragua’s difficult economic position, it will give the most sympathetic consideration to any recommendations which the Nicaraguan Government may make in the future with a view to facilitating the marketing of Nicaraguan sugar in the United States.[”]
It would be a tremendous help if the Department would authorize me to send such a letter.
Please telegraph.