817.51/2469

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Nicaragua (Dawson)

No. 134

Sir: On November 14, 1933, the then Minister of Finance of Nicaragua, Doctor Salvador Guerrero Montalván, while in the United States, addressed two memoranda to the Department, designated A and B, the first expressing the ideas of the Government of Nicaragua with regard to the possible conclusion of agreements intended to stimulate commerce between Nicaragua and the United States, and the second expressing the proposal of the Government of Nicaragua to reduce the expenditures of certain Nicaraguan institutions, including the Guardia Nacional, and the Customs Collectorship.

The Department acknowledged the receipt of these memoranda on November 25, 1933, and thereafter made an exhaustive study of the various loan contracts, financial plans, et cetera, of Nicaragua, under which the United States in the past had occupied a special relationship toward that country. As a result of this study it was determined that whatever special relationship had existed between the two countries in the past, by reason of these contracts or financial plans, no longer exists. The Department has, therefore, addressed the following note to the Chargé d’Affaires of Nicaragua, dated today:

“Sir: Reference is made to this Department’s note of November 25, 1933,6 acknowledging the receipt of two memoranda of the Minister of Finance of Nicaragua, dated November 14, 1933.

“With reference to Memorandum A,6 public notice of this Government’s intention to negotiate a foreign trade agreement with Nicaragua was made on September 7, 1934.7

“Due note has been taken of the information contained in Memorandum B, with reference to the fiscal situation in Nicaragua. It is presumed that this information was furnished merely as an act of courtesy, since the matters discussed are obviously not within the jurisdiction of this Government.

“Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my high consideration.”

Very truly yours,

For the Secretary of State:
Sumner Welles
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.
  3. See Department of State, Press Releases, September 8, 1934, pp. 176–179.