NICARAGUA AMERICAN ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING THE DESTRUCTION OF MANAGUA BY THE EARTHQUAKE OF MARCH 31, 1931-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Apr. 3 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 789 Arrival of Mr. Swift; appointment of central and local relief committees; comments on general situation. Apr. 4 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 790 Assertion that reports of bandit activity connected with the catastrophe are totally unfounded. Apr. 4 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 791 Expression of gratitude from the city of Granada for assist- Apr. 4 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 791 Information that airplanes of the Pan American Airways have rendered great service in evacuating American families to Corinto for embarkation. Apr. 4 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 791 Continued exodus from Managua; reports of favorable progress in various phases of relief, and turning of attention toward problem of restoring normal conditions. Apr. 5 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 792 Outline of relief organization, including specific responsibilities and activities of the various committees, the Marines, the Guardia, and other groups. Apr. 5 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 794 Appreciation for action of Commanding General, Canal Undated [Rec'd Apr. 6] From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 794 Commendation from Major Mitchell, commanding aircraft forces of Marine Brigade, for cooperation of Pan American Airways planes, mentioning specially the splendid work of certain individuals. Undated [Rec'd From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 795 Apr. 6] Report of work of the committee in charge of sanitation of Apr. 6 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 795 Apr. 6 Progress in restoring water system, organizing food distribution, providing shelter before the rainy season, and fire control. From the Nicaraguan Minister 796 Expression of gratitude to the United States, including President Hoover, Departments of State, War, and Navy, and American Red Cross. Apr. 7 To the President of the Pan American Airways, Inc. Transmittal of texts of the telegrams of April 4 and 6 from the Minister in Nicaragua concerning the great assistance rendered by Pan American Airways; expression also of Department's appreciation. 796 NICARAGUA AMERICAN ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING THE DESTRUCTION OF MANAGUA BY THE EARTHQUAKE OF MARCH 31, 1931-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Undated [Rec'd Apr. 7] From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 796 Information that relief measures continue satisfactorily and that efforts of Central Relief Committee are being concentrated on restoring normal living and commercial conditions. Apr. 10 (1) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 797 Advice that President Moncada and certain Government offices will remain in Managua, while remaining offices will be established temporarily in Masaya. Apr. 10 (2) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 797 Apr. 10 (3) Debt of gratitude owed to Will Rogers by entire community For the Red Cross from Swift: Belief that $100,000 is a From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 798 Apr. 10 (4) 798 Hope that Department will support and stimulate efforts to obtain financial assistance for Central Relief Committee and Government of Nicaragua, because of urgent need for employment and reconstruction. Apr. 11 (69) To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 799 Message for Swift from McClintock of the American Red Cross (text printed) authorizing expenditure of $100,000 as requested. Apr. 14 (10) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 799 Telegram sent to U. S. Legations in Central America (text printed) declaring that reports concerning many persons having been killed for looting after the earthquake are grossly exaggerated. Apr. 15 (16) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 800 Message for McClintock expressing appreciation for the relief work done by Swift. Apr. 15 (21) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 800 Expression of admiration for wonderful work performed by May 13 (160) 801 June 18 (404) From the British Ambassador Appreciation of British Government for assistance of U. S. Communication to President Moncada, June 11 (text 802 NICARAGUA ASSISTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES MARINES IN THE SUPpression of Bandit ACTIVITIES IN NICARAGUA Date and number Subject Page 1931 1 Apr. 13 From the Vice Consul at Bluefields (tel.) Flare-up of bandit activities at Logtown, 60 miles from Apr. 14. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) (14) Information that Foreign Minister reports a tender of good offices from the Presidents of Guatemala and El Salvador in the restoration of order in Nicaragua, provided U. S. Government is in accord. To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Advice that Commander of the Asheville has been instructed to land forces at Puerto Cabezas to protect Americans until a Guardia detachment can take over the situation. 805 805 Apr. 14 806 (76) Apr. 16 (80) To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 807 Inquiry as to whether any plans are contemplated for transporting reenforcements from Managua to the east coast, as bandits appear to be making their way eastward. Apr. 16 (81) 808 Apr. 17 To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Instructions to advise American citizens that U. S. Government cannot undertake general protection of Americans throughout Nicaragua with American forces, and to recommend that they withdraw from the country or at least to the coast towns. From the Vice Consul at Bluefields (tel.) 808 Apr. 17 (26) Message from Puerto Cabezas (text printed) that all Ameri- 809 Apr. 17 (27) Message from Guardia officer at Puerto Cabezas (text printed) requesting instructions as to action in case of evacuation of Americans and departure of naval vessels. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Data on distribution of the Guardia for opposing banditry; success of Guardia patrols in stopping advance on Puerto Cabezas; cooperation of Marine air service with the patrols; report that reenlistment of trained men recently discharged was the only speedy way of obtaining reenforcements for the Guardia. To the Vice Consul at Bluefields (tel.) 810 Apr. 18 812 Advice that naval vessels now on duty at east coast ports will remain until the present difficulty is over. Apr. 18 (85) To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 812 U. S. desire that the Guardia take over situation on the east coast as soon as possible so the American vessels may be withdrawn. Apr. 18 From the Vice Consul at Bluefields (tel.) 813 Information that a group of Guardia are being sent from Bluefields to El Gallo in view of rumors of threatened bandit attack. NICARAGUA ASSISTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES MARINES IN THE SUPPRESSION OF BANDIT ACTIVITIES IN NICARAGUA- Continued Date and number Subject Page 1931 Apr. 19 From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 813 Indications that the situation on the east coast is complicated by labor unrest and subversive propaganda involving unusual danger for foreigners. Apr. 20 To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 814 (89) Apr. 20 (90) To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Statement issued to the press, April 18 (text printed), regarding the problem of bandit activities in Nicaragua emphasizing points of difference between the present situation and that of 1926, with particular reference to the Guardia. To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Understanding from the Navy that further planes for transportation can soon be made available for the Guardia. 814 Apr. 20 (91) 816 Advice that Minister may inform his British colleague that U. S. naval vessels on duty on the east coast will remain until present difficulty is over. Apr. 21 (93) To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 816 Apr. 21 (34) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Department's preference not to express approval or disapproval of plan referred to in Minister's telegram No. 14, April 14. Telegram from General Matthews, Jefe Director of Guardia, to the Guardia Commander at Bluefields (text printed) instructing that he request U. S. forces to reembark as soon as Guardia is able to control the situation. 816 Apr. 21 (36) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 817 Report that 18 enlisted Guardia were transported by marine airplane to Puerto Cabezas, April 21. Apr. 28 From the Vice Consul at Bluefields (tel.) 817 Belief of Guardia Commander of eastern area that most of bandits have left the area; assertion that conditions on the coast are rapidly returning to normal due to presence of naval vessels. Apr. 29 (53) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 818 May 15 (119) Information that most of Marines in northern area have been withdrawn to Managua; General Matthews' increasing confidence in ability of the Guardia to handle situation. To the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) Instructions to inform the Committee of the Foreign Colony of Matagalpa, in view of protest from them against withdrawal of U. S. Marines from that region, of the U. S. Government's views concerning competency of the Guardia to protect foreign lives and property. 818 May 15 (378) From the Minister in Nicaragua 819 Report of various clashes occurring between April 23 and June 2 (391) From the Minister in Nicaragua 820 Further clashes between Guardia patrols and bandits, May 10-May 25. NICARAGUA ASSISTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES MARINES IN THE SUPPRESSION OF BANDIT ACTIVITIES IN NICARAGUA-Continued Date and number 1931 Subject Page June 22 (408) From the Minister in Nicaragua 821 Report on an encounter on June 9 between a Guardia patrol and a group of 50 bandits. June 24 (412) July 16 (139) From the Minister in Nicaragua 821 Two further encounters between Guardia patrols and bandits, June 14 and 15. From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 822 Rumors of considerable bandit movement toward the east coast. July 20 (140) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 822 Report of bandit attack, July 17, on a Guardia patrol reconnoitering from Cape Gracias up the Coco River. Undated [Rec'd July 201 From the Consul at Bluefields (tel.) 822 Telegram to Legation at Managua (text printed) describing situation at Bluefields and Puerto Cabezas. July 20 (431) From the Minister in Nicaragua 823 Encounter, July 9, between a Guardia patrol and small group of bandits near Telpaneca. Aug. 3 (146) From the Minister in Nicaragua (tel.) 823 Oct. 29 (191) Information that Mr. Scott, Manager of the Bragmans Bluff Lumber Co. at Puerto Cabezas, desires airplanes stationed there to cooperate with the Guardia; that practicability of the plan is being considered. From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) Telegram to Commander of Special Service Squadron (text printed) recommending that he send a warship to Puerto Cabezas, as it will reassure the population and be of assistance to the Guardia. Belief that a war vessel should remain continuously at Puerto Cabezas until the contemplated permanent air patrol on the east coast is established. 824 824 Nov. 23 (202) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 825 Increased activity of bandits in Leon and Chinandega; President Moncada's alarm and desire to organize a volunteer force of Nicaraguans outside the Guardia to put down the bandits. Nov. 24 (203) From the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) 826 Nov. 25 (202) Possibility that armed guards will have to be placed on passenger trains and bridges between Managua and Corinto; inquiry if Department would object to use of Marines for this purpose. To the Chargé in Nicaragua (tel.) Message for President Moncada (text printed) expressing confidence that Guardia can handle situation, and opinion as to inadvisability of creating any outside force. Authorization for placing of the armed guards on passenger trains and bridges as indicated in Chargé's telegram No. 203, November 24, if the situation requires it. 826 827 |
