817.452/9: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua ( Eberhardt )
22. (1) I have been advised by the Secretary of the Navy that both Feland and Beadle are being relieved from duty in Nicaragua. I understand that Williams will replace General Feland and Colonel McDougal will replace Beadle. Beadle will not remain in Nicaragua.
(2) The Navy Department has detailed an officer of the Marine Corps to make an audit of the accounts of the Guardia Nacional.
(3) Referring to your 13, January 7, 3 p.m. I have discussed the law of January 4 with the Secretary of the Navy and he agrees with me that it is unfortunate that such a law should have been passed, giving special precedence in Nicaragua to specified American officers. I am doing nothing further about the matter at the present time as the Navy Department wishes to work it out itself in order not to cause embarrassment. The same applies to having an American officer as adviser in military and other matters. It is to be arranged in the future that this should be the Chief of the Guardia Nacional and not the Commander of the United States Marine forces in Nicaragua. The Navy Department will likewise make it clear to the new appointees that the American Minister in Nicaragua and, in his absence the Chargé d’Affaires, is the only personal representative of the President of the United States in Nicaragua, and that the officers of the American armed forces in Nicaragua should not advise the President of Nicaragua or other Nicaraguan officials independently. Whenever the officers of the American armed forces desire to discuss matters with the President or a Minister of the Cabinet, the Navy Department will arrange that they should request the American Minister or Chargé d’Affaires to request the interview and take them to it, and that matters in which they may disagree with the Chief of Mission shall not be taken up with the Government of Nicaragua without first being submitted to the Government of the United States for its decision.