817.1051/265: Telegram

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

52. Supplementing my 51, February 20, 4 p.m. The President has now furnished me with a copy of the amended guardia agreement as passed by Congress. The modifications are the same as those described in my telegram 31, January 26, 3 p.m., with the following exceptions:

  • Article 1. In the last paragraph the words “strict consent” should read “written consent”.
  • Article 2. In the first sentence the word “sole” which was omitted has been replaced. In the fourth sentence after the words “it shall be subject only to the direction of the President of Nicaragua” the following phrase has been inserted “through himself or through the proper mediums”.
  • Article 5 has been completely changed and now reads in its entirety: “Infractions not included in the foregoing article and which constitute civil crimes or offenses which are committed by the members of the Guardia Nacional shall be investigated and tried by the civil authorities of the country.”
  • Article number 8. At the end of the first sentence the following words have been added “through himself or through the proper mediums”.
  • Article number 9. At the end of the last sentence the following words have been added “with the approval of the President of the Republic”.
  • Article 12. In the second sentence after the words “all American officers serving with the Guardia Nacional of Nicaragua” the following words have been inserted “must speak Spanish and”.

Eberhardt