817.00/8348
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Warren) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 16.]
Sir: Referring to the Legation’s telegram No. 122 of December 5, 1935, 12 noon, and despatch No. 1183 of December 6,93 in regard to the rumors of a coup d’état to be effected on December 8, 1935, and its telegram No. 123 of December 6, 10 p.m., in regard to a possible agreement between President Sacasa, General Somoza, and General Chamorro, I have the honor now to report that Sunday, December 8, 1935, passed quietly. It seems that there is a fair chance for continued peaceful development of the presidential campaign, if the agreement mentioned above is carried out.
During the week of December 1–7 Mr. John A. Willey, American Consular Agent at Matagalpa, was in Managua and saw General Somoza on the afternoon of December 5, 1935. General Somoza confirmed part of the information contained in the Legation’s telegram No. 123, mentioned above, but declared that he would not wait longer than January, 1937, to be President. However, the Chamorro information is some 28 hours later than the Willey statement, so that there may not be any conflict, it being reported that Somoza and Don Federico had a conference after the Willey-Somoza conversation.
On December 8, 1935, I was present at a birthday celebration of Dr. David Stadthagen in his home. I met General Emiliano Chamorro during the celebration and he brought up the subject of the present political condition. The General volunteered the information that the Conservatives are going to work for peace in the present situation. I felt from what he said that the information contained in the Legation’s telegram No. 123 is substantially correct.
[Page 888]The informant mentioned in telegram No. 123 advised me later that General Chamorro had indicated to him that the Conservatives will assist General Somoza even though the agreement with Dr. Sacasa is not carried out, provided that General Somoza plays’ fair with the Conservatives.
Respectfully yours,
- Neither printed.↩