817.00/2679: Telegram

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

43. Your September 10, 2 p.m.6

Please inform Major Miller that the Department’s sole interest in the revision of the laws relating to elections is that every enlightened and reasonable measure shall be taken to see that the result of the election is expressive of the popular will and is accepted by the people as such. In this way only will the resentment that is sure to be occasioned by any unfairness of method be avoided and public order and security protected against disturbances which may result from any well-grounded dissatisfaction with electoral methods.

It is difficult for the Department at this distance to form or express with confidence an opinion on any specific changes in the election laws such as Major Miller mentions. It would seem to the Department, however, very questionable to adopt the names appearing on the catalogues for the past 15 years as the sole basis for the registration of authorized voters. It would seem much more reasonable that the last authentic list be accepted as a basis and some provision made for inserting or adding to that list names shown to have been improperly omitted. The Department is clearly of the opinion, however, that it would be well for the President to appoint the election boards by executive decree as this will enable him to make certain that both parties have equitable representation on the boards. The suggestion of marking the voters appears to the Department to be unwise. It seems to involve a degree of personal indignity and the Department believes a more reasonable method of individual identification can be evolved.

The Department will be glad to have you visit President Chamorro, accompanied by Major Miller, and inform the President of the Department’s friendly solicitude that no step be omitted that will tend to insure a fair election and a popular acceptance of its result. You may also express to the President the Department’s confidence that this is his aim and you may seize the opportunity to emphasize the desire of this Government to refrain from anything except a disinterested and helpful assistance to the people of Nicaragua.

The Department will be glad to have you show a paraphrase of this telegram to the President.

Colby
  1. Special military attaché’s telegram, supra.