817.00 Johnson Electoral Mission/68: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:38 p.m.]
103. The following is transmitted at the request of Captain Johnson.
“To insure free and fair elections I consider it essential that no less a measure of political freedom be granted this year to Nicaraguans than was granted in 1928.
I believe this can possibly be accomplished if President Moncada will issue decrees and instructions as necessary. These should include amnesty to political prisoners and expatriates, freedom of the [Page 646] press and of communications, and equal opportunity for unmolested enjoying [enjoyment of?] political rights by law-abiding Nicaraguan citizens irrespective of political faith. This is necessary to prevent intimidation and to inspire confidence among all political elements.
Many citizens have been expatriated, detained, or confined during the past eighteen months. Some of these cases and others involving abridgment of the normal liberty of the press and improper control of public communications have received my most careful consideration. In absence of information to the contrary I cannot escape conclusion that free exercise of political rights based on justice and common sense is in danger of being infringed.
On August 8 President Moncada told me that he would issue a proclamation of amnesty. However his intimation that I could not investigate any cases or occurrences of above nature which had taken place prior to my arrival left me with the impression that what he intends to do will be inadequate to meet existing conditions. Recent arrangements have strengthened that impression.
I have assumed from the beginning that the President of Nicaragua would cooperate wholeheartedly with me in granting all reasonable political freedom and that he would take the necessary action in ample time. But time has now become so vital a factor that even if acting in good faith and with the best intentions he will seriously prejudice the success of my mission in Nicaragua by further delay. I am still hopeful that he will act by Thursday, August 14.
The situation differs now from that immediately after the revolution. The Liberal Party is now entrenched in power and holds the whiphand. I consider it essential that the elections this year involving one-half of the Chamber of Deputies shall take place under conditions of political freedom substantially the same as those attending the election of the other half of the Chamber in 1928.
I intend to follow this principle. Am I correct in assuming that the Department concurs in my views?
I am reluctant to disturb equitable harmonious relations existing between President Moncada and myself and have therefore delayed pressing the matter. The American Minister and I have fully discussed the situation and are in accord as to the urgent need of immediate promulgation of the decree and instructions mentioned above. We shall jointly and with the utmost insistence press for this action after Thursday, August 14.”
By prearrangement with Captain Johnson, I discussed the situation fully with President Moncada yesterday. He reasserted his determination to cooperate in insuring free and fair elections but stated frankly and firmly that his cooperation must be solicited and given in such manner as not to impair the prestige of his Government. He said that the opposition including its leading paper is endeavoring to put him in the light of being coerced in order to discredit him and his Government and that he is determined to maintain the dignity of his Government against any such [action?]. He said this is a matter of principle that does not admit of vacillation.
He was equally positive in assuring me that, if a proper procedure is followed, he will fully exert his power and influence to have adopted [Page 647] all measures demanded by the opposition insofar as they are essential to free and fair elections and are not so inimical to the safety of the country as to make them unwise. He stated specifically what the procedure should be to dissolve [meet?] two important demands of the opposition and said that similarly a proper way can be found to meet most or all of their other demands.
He said the amnesty decree is now being prepared and that, while he is making every effort to issue it during the present week, he may have to delay in order to consult some of his advisers. When I expressed the hope that it would be comprehensive he said it would be as broad as considerations of public safety will permit.
I gave Captain Johnson a complete account of my conference with the President. Now that the President’s attitude has been made clear, I believe progress can be made in clearing up existing difficulties and that this phase of the situation can be satisfactorily met. We will not fail to keep the Department advised of important developments.
The foregoing has been added to Captain Johnson’s telegram by his request and copy has been furnished him.