File No. 817.00/2180.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State.

No. 73.]

Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegraphic instructions of August 25, 8 p.m.1, I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of correspondence1 showing the conditions at Matagalpa and the measures taken by the Legation in behalf of the Americans and other foreigners residing there.

Matagalpa is a very prosperous interior town about five days journey by mule from Managua and is the center of a rich agricultural and mining district controlled principally by foreigners, of whom there are about two hundred. When the disturbances began at the capital on July 29 there was considerable apprehension and alarm in Matagalpa because of the recent efforts of the Zelayistas to inflame sentiment against the Americans on account of an alleged insult to the Nicaraguan flag during the last Fourth of July celebration. (See my despatch No. 67 of July 29, 1912.1)

The American acting consular agent, Mr. Spencer Richardson, wrote to the Legation on August 9, 16 and 18, and transmitted a petition signed by the American residents of the district, requesting that United States forces be sent to the interior. He added his own opinion that there was danger in certain circumstances of a massacre of the Americans. After consultation with Major Butler I replied on the 18th and 21st informing him that it was impracticable with the small [Page 1045] forces at hand to send any part of them to Matagalpa or to any other point so inaccessible from a seaport, but I instructed him to say to the Americans, and to any other foreigners who may apply to him for advice, that if they believe their lives to be in jeopardy they may consider the advisability of seeking safe refuge in Managua for the time being. This reply did not seem to be entirely satisfactory to the Americans, who naturally did not wish to leave their property behind, but with only 350 marines in Nicaragua, besides the bluejackets, it was of course out of the question to weaken the forces in the capital.

The Oroya Leonesa mine, which is a British concern managed by an American, Mr. F. W. Nobs, wrote to the Legation, and likewise to the British Consulate General, requesting protection for its property against marauding bands. Mr. Venables came to see me, bringing a copy of the letter, and inquired what assistance could be rendered to the British interests in that district. I told him of the instruction given to the American consular officer in Matagalpa and explained that for the present at least no United States forces could be sent so far inland. I had already urged on President Díaz the necessity of taking all possible precautions, but I again brought the matter officially to the attention of the Nicaraguan Government by note, and was assured by the Foreign Office that additional troops would be ordered to the vicinity to afford ample protection. This assurance was communicated to the interested parties, and thereafter on September 6 I received a report from Mr. Richardson that the conditions had greatly improved and that there was for the time being no further apprehension of danger in Matagalpa.

I have [etc.]

George T. Weitzel.
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