817.1051/260: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua ( Eberhardt ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:40 p.m.]
48. On February 4 the jefe politico of Rivas telephoned to the guardia chief of that department and demanded that the entire guardia outpost at Belen be relieved and replaced by new men. The former gave as his reason for this order that these men were on friendly relations with certain unnamed persons whose actions are antagonistic to the present administration. In view of the very serious effect of such a precedent, General Beadle51 requested the President that when troop movements are recommended by jefes politicos such recommendations be submitted to him by the President. The private secretary of the President under instructions replied in substance that the emergency law of the Guardia Nacional confers on the President complete control of this institution, but that the orders of the Executive are sent through the medium of his Secretaries of State. He stated that according to the law governing jefes politicos they are the representatives of the Executive in their respective departments. Consequently the chief of the guardia in each department must obey the jefe politico in all matters over which the law gives him jurisdiction, and when the departmental guardia chiefs are required to carry out such orders of the jefes politicos they must obey upon receipt of the orders advising General Beadle who in turn will communicate with the President through the Secretaries of State. He said also that the jefe politico of Rivas acted correctly in the above instance. He added that the President intends to exercise control over the guardia through his Secretaries of State and his jefes politicos without contravening the law or the Constitution but giving each one his due, and that the same considerations must be given to the judiciary whom the Guardia Nacional must obey. The tone of the letter is distinctly antagonistic.
[Page 615]On various occasions recently General Moncada has expressed to me his opinion that a non-partisan guardia cannot be established at the present time and it is becoming increasingly evident that he intends to make it a partisan organization. In view of the apparent attempt to weaken the guardia, the Conservatives are expressing deep concern and feel that under the circumstances they cannot expect the protection and justice which they were led to believe they would enjoy under the present administration.
The many recent interferences with the conduct of the guardia are tending to create a spirit of discouragement among the American officers of that organization. I am informed that several of those whose two years of duty will expire shortly and who planned to continue in Nicaragua are now preparing to leave. Others now on leave in the United States who intended to come back for duty here with the guardia have decided not to return.
- Elias R. Beadle, Chief of the Guardia Nacional of Nicaragua.↩