815.00/3077a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Commissioner in the Dominican Republic (Welles)
14. Due to a three-cornered revolution in Honduras the situation there is chaotic and there appears no hope of a solution within the near future. Revolutionists are besieging Tegucigalpa and it has been necessary to send a landing force to protect American Minister and American colony. No faction appears able to dominate the situation and a condition of anarchy seems likely to develop.
Under these conditions the Department finds it necessary to ask you to proceed at once to Tegucigalpa to report what steps should be taken to bring about a solution which will prevent further bloodshed and destruction of property. Guatemala, Salvador and Nicaragua have discussed offering joint mediation but their efforts in this direction have so far been fruitless because of failure to agree among themselves on plan. Department has expressed sympathy with their efforts but desires to be in a position to offer assistance whether these efforts result in holding a conference or not. Consequently it desires that you should be in Tegucigalpa or Amapala to assist at conference if that should be held, or possibly to offer direct mediation of the United States. Further instructions will be sent you by wireless.
A destroyer is being ordered to proceed to Santo Domingo at once from Guantanamo to take you to Honduras. Please proceed as soon after her arrival as is physically possible.