701.1711/209
Reply of President Coolidge to the Remarks Made by the Newly Appointed Nicaraguan Minister (Alejandro César) Upon the Presentation of His Letters of Credence, January 20, 1927
Mr. Minister: It is a genuine pleasure to receive you and to recognize you as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Constitutional Government of Nicaragua.
While official relations between the United States and your country were unfortunately interrupted for nearly a year by the prevalence of political conditions in Nicaragua which did not permit the United States and the other Governments of the world to maintain regular official contact, it is gratifying to note that the ties of friendship which have always bound together the people of the United States and of Nicaragua have at no time been impaired, and that throughout the trying period of nonrecognition most amicable, though informal, relations were always maintained. That we are now once more in a position, due to the establishment in Nicaragua of a constitutional government to which the United States and other Powers are able to extend recognition, to resume official relations is a matter of great satisfaction. I am glad to receive you as the duly accredited representative of the new Nicaraguan Government.
For many years the United States has been a good friend to the Nicaraguan people. Through our assistance asked and apparently welcomed, Nicaragua has enjoyed years of peace and tranquility, restored her almost hopelessly shattered national finances, increased her economic resources and vastly improved her position before the world. We take no undue credit for what was accomplished during that time. The chief credit belongs to the Nicaraguan people themselves. It was the sincere hope of this country that these conditions would continue and that it would be unnecessary for the United States to take any action for the protection of its citizens and their interests but unfortunately such has not been the case.
I take this opportunity of expressing the earnest hope that such internal dissension as still exists in your country may soon be dissipated so that no obstacle may bar the way to progress toward a new era of permanent peace and prosperity for Nicaragua. Although [Page 302] American forces have with the consent, and at the request of your Government, been landed in order to safeguard the legitimate interests of the United States and the lives and property of its citizens, this state of affairs should not continue longer than is necessary. The United States, as I know your Government and the people of Nicaragua fully appreciate, has no selfish ends or imperialistic designs to serve. Least of all have we any desire to influence or dictate in any way the internal affairs of your country. The United States desires the independence and the prosperity of every Central American Republic. The foundations for permanent stability within Nicaragua must, of course, be laid by its own Government and I have been pleased to see that the initial steps for the elimination of disaffection and the composing of factional differences are already being taken.