817.00/4352½: Telegram

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

[Paraphrase]

5. Orders have been issued to the Commander of the Special Service Squadron4 to send a force of marines from the U. S. S. Galveston to Managua to act as a Legation guard. The Galveston will arrive shortly at Corinto.

This action has been taken (1) in view of statements made by President Diaz reported in Legation’s telegrams dated December 8, 8 a.m., and December 15, 11 a.m.,5 soliciting American assistance to protect American and foreign lives and property, and (2) the statement in your telegram number 258 dated December 31, 10 p.m.,6 that threats directly and by mail have been received repeatedly by members of the Legation and other Americans.

You are instructed to inform President Diaz of the action contemplated. You may add that in view of his statements that he would approve in advance any measures which the Government of the United States might feel called upon to take to protect the lives and property of Americans, the Department feels sure that he will offer no objection.

You are instructed to arrange with President Diaz and the Captain of the Galveston such details as may be necessary in connection with the landing of the troops and their transportation to Managua.

Kellogg
  1. Admiral Julian L. Latimer.
  2. Foreign Relations, 1926, vol. ii, pp. 809 and 811.
  3. Not printed.