NICARAGUA ASSISTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES MARINES IN THE SUPPRESSION OF BANDIT ACTIVITIES IN NICARAGUA-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Nov. 25 (204) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 827 Guardia's belief that bandits have withdrawn to the north away from the railroad; observation that bandit situation appears very grave. Nov. 27 (206) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 828 Nov. 27 (83) Nov. 28 (209) Declaration of martial law in Leon and Chinandega. Moncada's allocation of additional funds to order of Guardia for maintenance of 200 auxiliaries to operate under Guardia command. To the Chargé in Honduras (tel.) Instructions to point out to President of Honduras the insistent reports that arms have been reaching Nicaraguan bandits from Honduran territory. Inquiry if Major Fassett has visited the frontier where acts are alleged to have taken place. 829 From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 829 Report of two clashes between Guardia patrols and bandit groups in Chinandega. Nov. 28 (207) To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 830 Gratification over Moncada's allocation of funds for maintenance of auxiliaries. Dec. 1 From the Chargé in Honduras (tel.) 830 (182) Foreign Minister's opinion that Honduran Government should do all in its power to prevent aid to bandits from Honduras, but intimation that little could be done in present state of impecuniousness and political uncertainty. Plans of Major Fassett to visit the Danli region December 3. Dec. 1 From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 831 Clash between Guardia patrol and bandits at El Cuadro, Dec. 2 (85) To the Chargé in Honduras (tel.) 831 Approval of Major Fassett's visit to Danli region. (Note: Report from the Chargé, December 10, that the bandits were believed to have "definitely withdrawn into their accustomed areas in northern Nicaragua”.) ASSISTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES IN STRENGTHENING THE GUARDIA NACIONAL PREPARATORY TO THE WITHDRAWAL OF MARINES FROM NICARAGUA President Moncada's proposal of a military force of 500 to serve as a temporary auxiliary to the Guardia for combatting recently intensified bandit activities; also a road construction program in the bandit territory if a loan can be arranged through the National Bank. 832 NICARAGUA ASSISTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES IN STRENGTHENING THE GUARDIA NACIONAL PREPARATORY TO THE WITHDRAWAL OF MARINES FROM NICARAGUA-Con. 1931 Jan. 8 (6) Jan. 9 (5) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Conference with Marine and Guardia Commanders and To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Page 833 Jan. 10 (11) Jan. 14 (12) Jan. 21 (18) Jan. 22 834 Concurrence in Moncada's suggestions; emphasis on fact that the new military force must be completely subject to exclusive control of the Jefe Director of the Guardia. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 835 General McDougal's estimate of cost and proposed organization of the auxiliary force. 835 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Moncada's dissatisfaction with estimates; his counterproposal for a small temporary force. Existence in the press and elsewhere of propaganda for creation of a so-called national army independent of Guardia-an idea considered as unsound by the military commanders. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Information from National Bank that million-dollar loan would be granted by International Acceptance Bank with certain stipulations as to expenditures. To the Secretary of the Navy 839 839 Request that Guardia Commander be instructed to give special attention to training up of Nicaraguan officers so as to leave no obstacle to complete withdrawal of Marines from Nicaragua after 1932 elections. 840 Jan. 28 Feb. 5 Feb. 14 (16) Feb. 24 To the Secretary of the Navy Secretary's assertion (in reply to an inquiry from Secretary of the Navy) that he has no suggestions to make regarding proposed order to Marine officer in charge of Guardia. Memorandum by the Secretary of State Statement of policy in Nicaragua, setting forth basis on which U. S. Government is willing to continue, for temporary periods specified, to maintain Marine forces in Nicaragua and Marine officers in the Guardia. (Footnote: Memorandum subsequently initialed by President Moncada.) To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Statement issued to the press, February 13 (text printed), summarizing the plan developed at conferences in Washington for increase in Guardia, withdrawal of majority of Marines by June, and road construction in bandit provinces. From the Secretary of the Navy Advice that Commander of Second Brigade will be instructed to withdraw into Managua his outlying forces, other than aviation, as rapidly as feasible, preparatory to withdrawing them from Nicaragua in accordance with present plan. 841 844 845 NICARAGUA ASSISTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES IN STRENGTHENING THE GUARDIA NACIONAL PREPARATORY TO THE WITHDRAWAL OF MARINES FROM NICARAGUA-Con. Date and number Subject Page 1931 Mar. 12 (360) Mar. 17 (363) Apr. 27 (47) Apr. 28 (103) Apr. 29 (54) Apr. 30 (56) June 4 From the Minister in Nicaragua 846 Account of progress being made by Marine and Guardia 848 Report that project for withdrawal of Marines has aroused mixed feelings among Nicaraguans. Declaration by President Moncada (text printed) issued soon after the announcement of the intended withdrawal. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Difficulties encountered by General Matthews in obtaining funds for current maintenance of Guardia; opinion that the million-dollar loan or some substitute is imperative. To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Instructions to convey to President Moncada information obtained from International Acceptance Bank that funds for Guardia are available as arranged in February, and U. S. insistence that money be paid promptly to General Matthews for the Guardia. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Report of representations made to Moncada, as instructed, emphasizing positive attitude of U. S. Government concerning future maintenance of the Guardia. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Information that General Matthews has received $65,000 for Guardia pay for April and maintenance for half of May. To the Secretary of the Navy Expression of opinion, in reply to inquiry, that Marine aviation forces in Nicaragua should continue to operate with the Guardia as they have been operating before the Marines were concentrated at Managua. From the Minister in Nicaragua 850 852 853 854 855 Aug. 3 (456) 857 Data on amounts of money furnished to General Matthews by Nicaraguan Government for the Guardia since June; also amounts allotted from the million-dollar loan in the period March 27-July 15. Sept. 12 From the Chief of the Division of Latin American Affairs to the 858 Information that total number of U. S. Marine and naval forces in Nicaragua as of September 1 was 1,005. INSISTENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE THAT SO LONG AS THE GUARDIA NACIONAL IS DIRECTED BY AMERICAN OFFICERS IT SHOULD NOT TRY NICARAGUAN CIVILIANS Advice that Department cannot approve trial of Nicaraguan civilians by members of the Guardia so long as the Guardia is directed by American officers. Instructions to suggest to President Moncada the apparent need for improvement of the Nicaraguan judiciary system. 859 NICARAGUA INSISTENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE THAT SO LONG AS THE GUARDIA NACIONAL IS DIRECTED BY AMERICAN OFFICERS IT SHOULD NOT TRY NICARAGUAN CIVILIANS-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1930 Jan. 7 (3) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 860 Inquiry as to whether Department does not consider banditry a military offense. Jan. 10 (2) To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 860 Department's understanding of a military offense as an offense committed by a member of military forces in violation of military regulations. Jan. 15 (8) Jan. 15 (9) Jan. 16 (4) Jan. 17 (5) Jan. 21 (1290) Jan. 29 (10) Feb. 18 (1328) Mar. 11 (638) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) Opinion of Marine and Guardia Commanders in favor of courts martial by members of the Guardia in cases involving organized armed resistance (banditry) in areas where martial law has been declared by the Government. From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) Information that a Guardia court martial will try Sergeant To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) Department's reiteration of policy of unwillingness to have American officers exercise judicial functions with respect to Nicaraguan civilians. Inquiry whether there is any obstacle to Government's establishment of civil courts adequate to deal with situation. To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) Department's willingness for American officers to sit on the court in the case of Sergeant Larios, as it is a case of discipline of a member of the Guardia. From the Chargé in Nicaragua President Moncada's concurrence in Department's views as to inefficiency of the courts; agreement of Marine and Guardia Commanders as to advantages of Department's idea, but doubts as to possibility of success. Memorandum by General McDougal, January 18 (text printed), stressing urgent necessity to dispose in some way of bandits now in custody of the Guardia. To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) Instructions to indicate to President Moncada the Department's feeling that death sentence should not be carried out if, as rumored, such sentence has been passed, on Sergeant Larios. From the Chargé in Nicaragua Memorandum prepared for Moncada (text printed) for presentation to Supreme Court, embodying substance of Department's telegram No. 4, January 16. Private opinion of President of Supreme Court that solution of problem would be a total reform of the Constitution. 860 861 862 862 863 866 866 To the Chargé in Nicaragua 869 Instructions to make no suggestion or comment on the matter of revision of the Constitution except under specific instructions from the Department. 1931 Sept. 17 (175) To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 869 Instructions to endeavor to see that death sentences if imposed are not carried out in the case of two bandits tried by Guardia court martial, reported from Bluefields. NICARAGUA INSISTENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE THAT SO LONG AS THE GUARDIA NACIONAL IS DIRECTED BY AMERICAN OFFICERS IT SHOULD NOT TRY NICARAGUAN CIVILIANS-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Sept. 18 (167) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 870 Assurance from Acting Jefe Director of Guardia that death sentences, if imposed, will not be carried out. Sept. 21 (173) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 870 Sept. 22 (179) Information that no death sentences were applied in the case in question. Assurances from Acting Jefe Director that measures will be taken to prevent trials of civilians by the Guardia. To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 870 Sept. 24 (511) Instructions to state to appropriate authorities the Department's position, in view of reports from Bluefields on courts martial before the Guardia. From the Chargé in Nicaragua Oct. 12 (245) 871 Opinion that further representations at this time might result in the subject's being merged with various projected constitutional reforms. To the Chargé in Nicaragua 872 Advice that, in view of the assurances from the Acting Jefe Director, the Department concurs in opinion that any present representations will be unnecessary. APPOINTMENT OF MAJOR CHARLES F. B. PRICE, U. S. M. C., TO OBSERVE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN NICARAGUA Instructions as to arrangements to be made in connection with the desired designation of Major Price as alternate to the Chairman of the National Board of Elections, so that he may assume the duties of Captain Alfred W. Johnson in the latter's forthcoming absence. 873 May 11 (115) To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 874 Inquiry as to whether President Moncada has designated May 12 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 875 (74) Assertion that it is embarrassing to propose the contemplated arrangement because of the salary which Nicaraguan Government will be expected to pay Major Price. May 26 (87) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 875 May 27 (125) Advice that reply to telegram No. 74, May 12, is being awaited before taking up with Moncada the designation of Major Price. To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Instructions to comply with Department's instruction No. 135, March 7, insofar as Major Price's appointment as Vice Chairman of National Board of Elections is concerned. Decision to defray expenses incurred by Major Price on his mission in Nicaragua. 875 |