817.1051/828: Telegram

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

99. This morning, in referring to a general conversation which I had yesterday with the President on the present difficulties relating to the Guardia, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said that on the eve of leaving Montevideo he had had a talk with the Secretary (Mr. Cumming acting as interpreter) on the subject of Dr. Argüello’s memorandum regarding the Guardia.59 The Minister said that he understood the Secretary to say through Mr. Cumming that the Department was entirely in accord with the views expressed in the memorandum; that the Department had no objection to the reformation of the Guardia in such a manner as the Government desired regardless of the agreement (of November 5, 1932)60 having been signed in the American Legation and by the American Minister as witnesses, and that I would be so instructed.

I said to Dr. Argüello that my understanding of the Department’s position is that the question of the Guardia is one for Nicaragua to decide and for that reason we decline to express any opinion.

I gather that the Minister for Foreign Affairs desires to interpret the Secretary’s remarks as an approval of any action which the Government may take in reorganizing the Guardia. My impression is strengthened by the second paragraph of the Secretary’s despatch of December 11, 1933 transmitted to me in Department’s instruction 15 of January 16.61

President admits that he has recently increased the Presidential guard by over 100 men all Liberals, because so he says, he must have around him men whom he can trust. The President tacitly agreed that this is not in accordance with the terms of the agreement of 1932.

Am reporting fully by air mail my conversation with the President (as well as one yesterday with General Chamorro) on the subject of the Guardia.

I should appreciate for my guidance the Secretary’s views regarding Dr. Argüello’s above-mentioned statement to me.

Lane
  1. See instruction No. 7, December 28, 1933, to the Minister in Nicaragua, (Foreign Relations, 1933, vol. v, p. 849.
  2. Ibid., 1932, vol. v, p. 887.
  3. Not printed.