817.00/5661: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:10 p.m.]
216. From Colonel Parker for General McCoy.44
“Fight between Conservative factions for party control centers for the moment about issues concerning powers and functions of Junta Directiva Nacional y Legal, formerly known as Directiva Suprema. Pertinent provisions are contained in party’s Estatuto dated May 3rd, 1920, and supplementary resolution of Junta Directiva dated March 1st, 1924. Should full text of provisions be desired and not available in Washington, same will be cabled on request. Under date of May 14, 1928, President Diaz in his capacity as chairman of the Junta Directiva addressed to the secretary of the junta a letter wherein he directed in substance that no further meeting of the junta should be held until it should assemble May 20 to render a routine report to the Conservative Convention and to turn over its functions to a new junta to be elected that day. The President’s letter expressly denied the authority of the present junta to determine contests between rival departmental delegations and in general purported to deny the junta any important functions connected with the organization of the coming convention. Later on May 14th the President, in a second letter to the secretary, Sebastian Nunez, called upon the latter for an explanation regarding a meeting of the Junta Directiva which the secretary had called for May 15th without instructions from the President. The secretary’s reply stated that he had obeyed instructions of a member, Alfonso Estrada, who had acted as chairman at all previous meetings. Reply indicated opprobrious opposition to the President’s views regarding the junta’s functions and persistence in the purpose to hold the meeting. The President’s interpretation of the party’s bylaws, if correct, would apparently eliminate any orderly procedure for determining contests between rival departmental delegations claiming seats in the convention. Rival delegations have been named in various departments. While the party’s bylaws lack desired clarity and completeness, it is believed that the functions of the Junta Directiva properly include the determination of contests within the party and that a convention constituted in accordance with the junta’s decision would have a strong presumption of regularity in favor of itself and its nominee. A meeting of the Junta Directiva was actually held on May 15th and is reported to have been attended by 11 proprietary members out of [Page 491] a total of 19. Indications are that Chamorro faction controls junta and is claiming and proceeding to exercise right to pass on credentials of rival departmental delegations to convention. No immediate action by the National Board in above connection is considered necessary. As, however, further developments may present a situation where prompt action may be required, or where failure to act promptly will itself tend to define the Board’s future course, the conclusions arrived at relative to the functioning of the Junta Directiva are stated for such comment as General McCoy may wish to communicate.”
I concur in the above.
- General McCoy left Managua for the United States on April 28 (file No. 817.00/5601).↩