817.00/8310
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Latin American Affairs (Wilson)
Dr. Federico Sacasa, accompanied by Dr. De Bayle, called on Mr. Welles. Mr. Wilson was present.
[Page 884]Dr. Sacasa said that he had wished, before returning to his country, to make Mr. Welles’ acquaintance and to pay his respects. He said that he was planning to leave Washington to return to Nicaragua some time next week.
After a certain amount of conversation on general subjects, Dr. Sacasa said that he was concerned over the political situation in his country. He said that the political agitation in connection with the next presidential elections was extreme; he said that the situation which caused him greatest concern was that relating to General Somoza’s presidential ambitions. Personally, he had great respect and liking for General Somoza and believed that if left to himself the General would do nothing to disturb order and peace in Nicaragua; however, persons close to General Somoza, who hoped to profit from their relations with him, were urging him to take whatever steps were necessary to become President of the country. General Somoza, through his relationship by marriage with President Sacasa is barred under the Nicaraguan constitution from becoming President. Dr. Sacasa stated that President Sacasa was doing all in his power to maintain constitutional government but it was feared that political ambitions would bring about a situation in which anarchy and chaos might ensue. At this point Dr. Sacasa stated that he was confident that the Nicaraguan Government could look for the friendly moral assistance of the United States Government.
Mr. Welles said that he was not quite sure just what Dr. Sacasa meant by “friendly moral assistance.” Dr. Sacasa, after trying to phrase it differently, finally repeated that his country was looking for “friendly moral assistance” from the United States. Mr. Welles thereupon said that, in order that there might be no slightest possibility of misunderstanding, he wished to make clear the position of the United States Government. He said that the United States Government had the friendliest sentiments for the Government of Nicaragua, being an old and traditional friend, and that the United States Government entertained the most earnest hopes that Nicaragua would be able to work out her own problems in satisfactory manner. He stated that so far as the United States was concerned, the possibility of American intervention in Nicaraguan affairs was definitely ended. The United States had withdrawn from Nicaragua in January, 1933, and the relations of the United States to Nicaragua were exactly the same as those of the United States to any other sovereign and independent country. Mr. Welles stated that, in the economic and commercial spheres, if the Nicaraguan Government had any proposals regarding such relations between our two countries, the Department would always be glad to give attentive consideration to them; in this connection it was hoped that the present trade negotiations would turn out to be of value to both countries. [Page 885] But any question of interference by the United States in the domestic internal problems of Nicaragua was out of the question and utterly impossible.
Dr. Sacasa stated that he did not want any “intervention” or “interference” but only wanted the “friendly moral assistance” of the United States Government; he stated that some expression of the friendly interest of the United States in seeing Nicaragua work out her problems satisfactorily would be an example of such “friendly moral assistance.” Mr. Welles stated that, to be specific, if the United States Government was to make any such declaration, or to make any statements to any individuals in Nicaragua, this would be regarded as intervention or interference in Nicaraguan affairs.
Dr. Sacasa then endeavored to argue that the withdrawal of the United States from Nicaragua had been premature, that the Guardia had not been properly officered, and that the United States Government had some measure of responsibility for any situation in Nicaragua arising out of action of the Guardia. Mr. Welles made it clear to Dr. Sacasa that the withdrawal of the United States from Nicaragua had been announced two years prior to the event; that the decision as to the manner of appointing officers in the Guardia at the time of the American withdrawal was the decision of the Nicaraguan Government; General Matthews, Commandant of the Guardia, at the request of President Moncada, had worked out a plan, and this plan had been approved by the Nicaraguan Government and agreed to by the two presidential candidates. But the decision to adopt the plan in question, and the decision to appoint the officers in the Guardia, was the decision of the Government of Nicaragua on its own responsibility. The United States had formally and finally withdrawn from Nicaraguan affairs in January, 1933, and at that time had made a public declaration to the effect that henceforth its relations with Nicaragua were on the same footing as with any other sovereign and independent country; the present Secretary of State and Mr. Welles himself had, in various public addresses, stressed the fact that following our withdrawal from Nicaragua our relations with Nicaragua were in no wise different than those with any other country with which we had friendly diplomatic relations.
Dr. Sacasa thereupon appeared to acknowledge that the United States Government had no responsibility for the actions of the Guardia following the withdrawal of the United States from Nicaragua. He again requested, however, that “within the limits of the policy of the United States Government” Nicaragua might expect the friendly cooperation of the United States. Mr. Welles said that, having explained the policy of the United States towards Nicaragua and having stated the fact that under no conditions could there be any interference [Page 886] or intervention by the United States in Nicaragua’s domestic affairs, he was happy to assure Dr. Sacasa that Nicaragua could always count upon the friendly interest of the United States, and he reiterated that it was his sincere hope that Nicaragua would be able to work out her own problems in satisfactory manner.