816.01/365: Telegram

The Minister in Nicaragua (Lane) to the Acting Secretary of State

12. Information contained in Department’s telegrams 5, January 15, 1 p.m., and 6, January 15, 2 p.m., was orally communicated to President Sacasa yesterday afternoon. This morning on receipt of Lawton’s January 15, 6 p.m., to the Department I called on the President who said he was asked to send for me with regard to developments in Guatemala. He referred to report from Guatemala published in press this morning to the effect that in political circles there it is considered that Guatemala will be an important factor in the problem of the recognition of El Salvador by the rest of Central America. I said that I had learned that apparently Crisanto Sacasa had given President Ubico the impression that the plan for the recognition of El Salvador had been suggested to the Niearaguan Government by the United States Government. I urged that he instruct Crisanto” Sacasa in the latter’s negotiations with the President of Honduras to be careful to prevent this impression from being created. The President said he would telegraph his cousin substantially as follows:

“In your conversations with President Carías remember that the plan which was proposed by me and was then discussed with American Minister here, has the approval of the United States Government.”

[Page 232]

I pointed out to the President that his plan, being different in various aspects from that suggested by the Department, may with truth be stated as being his. The President said he felt sure that his cousin did not give the impression, as reported in Lawton’s January 15, 6 p.m., but that Ubico wished to take the credit for the proposal as the abovementioned press report indicates.

The President said that his cousin following the despatch of his telegram of January 14 (quoted in my 11, January 14, midnight) had apparently awaited the result of expected conversation between Ubico and the Department’s representative and had not as yet shown Ubico the draft protocol, although his instructions were to stress three points to Presidents Ubico and Carías, (1) joint resolution [recognition?] of El Salvador by Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala, (2) revision of treaty by all Central American countries, (3) maintenance of treaty by Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua until revised.

Foregoing not repeated to Guatemala.

Am sending supplementary telegram which am repeating to Guatemala.

Lane