815.00/1985: Telegram
The Minister in Honduras ( Jones ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11.45 p.m.]
President Bertrand has deposited the executive power in the hands of Council of Ministers last night10 and has left for Amapala under escort of United States naval officer and members of diplomatic corps to take passage on the steamer San Jose for the United States via [Panama?]. Minister of War, Minister of Fomento, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Public Instruction resigned. Santiago Meza Calix, Governor of Tegucigalpa, appointed Minister of War; Jesus Bendana, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Federico Smith, Minister of Public Instruction; Hector Valenzuela, Minister of Fomento.
It has been agreed to arrange an immediate truce with General Lopez Gutierrez and other revolutionary leaders. Prisoners broke from jail last night, 10 killed in streets Tegucigalpa at that time.
It is very likely that I shall ask Admiral Wood to furnish Legation guard with the approval of the Honduranean Government [Page 385] as it is feared Government and revolutionary forces will be uncontrollable on entering Tegucigalpa. Liquor supply now being destroyed. Lopez Gutierrez will be asked to take charge all troops in and around Tegucigalpa. Admiral Wood and two officers are now with me in the Legation.
- The decree effecting the transfer is dated Sept. 9 (File No. 815.00/2094).↩