817.1051/685: Telegram

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

176. Department’s telegram No. 87, August 30, 2 p.m. I recently laid before President Moncada a memorandum of the plan proposed for appointing Nicaraguan officers for the Guardia and subsequently discussed the subject with him. I have just received the following letter from the President, dated today:

“I have read and reread with attention the memorandum of September 8 which you were kind enough to deliver to me, with reference to the Guardia Nacional.

I understand well the spirit of the Tipitapa agreements and approve in general the plan which the Department of State proposes for the organization of the Guardia Nacional, now that the day for the withdrawal of the American forces in Nicaragua is approaching.

I desire only to make an observation to you and through you to the Department of State, that is, that the 29 officers to be selected by each candidate should be persons of equable character and not of exalted political passions.

I also wish to state to you that, there being no guarantee that the new arrangements will be carried out, the next government, whichever it may be, might make changes, and the idea of the Department of State would be abandoned, perhaps completely, for the return of what was formerly called Government troops. Perhaps the candidates might be asked to sign an agreement, involving a clear and precise obligation, in the presence of a representative of the Department of State, since I am certain that there will be an effort on the part of the candidate who wins at the elections to carry out the arrangements referred to, since in Nicaragua there is great respect for a simple promise made before the Government of the United States of America.”

General Matthews and I concur in President Moncada’s above recommendation and the Department’s view is requested. General Matthews will proceed in full with President Moncada to carry out the other phases of the plan.

Hanna