715.1715/11–2844
The Ambassador in Nicaragua (Stewart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 5.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s telegram No. 402, of September 27, 4 p.m., 1933 [1944], concerning its desire to further a settlement of the boundary between Nicaragua and Honduras; to my airgram A–428, dated October 12, 4 p.m., 1944, to despatch No. 1485, dated November 18, 1944, from Tegucigalpa; and to report further on this subject as follows:
I have not again discussed the possibilities of a boundary settlement with President Somoza since the conversation reported in the airgram under reference. For the past few weeks, the President has been on Lake Nicaragua, near Granada, endeavoring to raise the lake steamer, General Somoza, which was rammed and sunk in 1943. Prior to the President’s departure for Lake Nicaragua, the confused political situation in Central America and the activities of his enemies in San Salvador, Mexico City, and San José, who almost overtly sought means and an opportunity to overthrow him, did not furnish a tranquil background for a sober discussion of the boundary.
Meanwhile, moreover, the popularity and prestige of the President in Nicaragua, if not waning, is hardly greater than for some months [Page 227] past. While the opposition of his regime at home is unorganized and without very astute leadership, the President is ridiculed and berated at every opportunity. Although he, himself, seems to feel surer of his position now than several weeks ago, there are continued indications—such as his recent rebuff to the Socialist Party of Nicaragua, which may alienate a considerable sector of his labor support—which do not enhance that conviction.
After careful consideration, I have reached the conclusion that President Somoza’s presently weakened position and prestige could not—without danger—support a cession of “Nicaraguan” territory between the Coco River and the ridge west of Cruta to Honduras. In telling me in October that he thought it a propitious time to discuss the boundary question, I am convinced that his mention of the ridge as the boundary was not a talking point but rather a statement of the minimum terms upon which he was willing to discuss the question with President Carías. The fact that he maintains posts of the Nicaraguan Guard and—I am told—a few schools north of the Coco is, moreover, a token of what I believe to be his fundamental view that this territory is Nicaraguan.
When the President returns to Managua and as soon as the local and Central American situation seems to permit, I shall again speak to President Somoza about this question and will, of course, promptly report the results. I am not too optimistic, as may be noted above, that I shall meet with any success. Meanwhile, I trust that I may still count upon the Department’s condoning the delay which has occurred in pursuing this matter.
Respectfully yours,