817.00/2710: Telegram
The Special Military Attaché at Managua (Miller) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 1—10 a.m.]
47. Military Intelligence. The President today issued proclamation covering subject matter of the State Department suggestions of September 16th. He has provided:
- 1st.
- That the Coalition Party shall be entitled to an inspector in each voting place who is to have the same rights and immunities as a member of the election board.
- 2d.
- In lieu of the Department’s suggestion as to allowing a vote to citizens not inscribed in the catalogues, he has decreed that all [Page 305] citizens will be allowed to cast a ballot whether inscribed or not. When the votes are counted however there will be rejected the votes of all citizens whose names do not appear in the official catalogues.
I consider this arrangement is fairly satisfactory. In the first place it will materially expedite the casting of ballots and ought undoubtedly keep down disturbances while actual voting is going on and while the crowds of voters assembled. In the second place it will enable the Department to learn, 1st, the relative strength of both parties according to the catalogues and, 2d, the actual voting strength of each. Upon the basis of this latter information the Department may, subsequent to the election and before the final canvass of the vote by Congress in December, determine if it so desires what if any different action should be taken with reference to votes cast by citizens not inscribed in the catalogues.
Election begins Sunday and lasts two days. Urtecho independent Conservative is still in the race and may materially affect final result.