715.1715/517: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Nicaragua (Castleman)
50. Your 86, August 28, 7 a.m. Please arrange through the Minister of Foreign Affairs for an immediate interview with President Somoza.
Please say to President Somoza that this Government greatly appreciates his action in informing it of the present friction between Nicaragua and Honduras and his interest in having the American Government act as arbitrator or offer its advice as to the arbitration of the boundary difficulty. The Government is gratified to learn of the evident statesmanlike determination of President Somoza not to allow the present friction to develop into a war which, as he states, would be ruinous to both countries. You may express the confidence of this [Page 61] Government that the Nicaraguan reply to the Honduran note will be conciliatory in tone and offer a basis for peaceful resolution of the present friction. A pacific resolution of the difficulty would redound to the international renown for statesmanship of President Somoza and his Government.
If the President inquires, you may inform him that consideration is being given to his suggestion that this Government might arbitrate the question of territorial rights.
In discussing the matter with the Minister of Foreign Affairs you might inform him of the recent statement of Dr. Luis Manuel Debayle to the Chief of the Division of the American Republics that upon his return to Nicaragua he would do everything possible to bring about a speedy termination of the controversy.