817.00/4866
Notice Issued by the Commander of the Special Service Squadron (Latimer)70
The Government of the United States, having accepted the request of the Government of Nicaragua to supervise the election in the latter country in 1928, believes a general disarmament of the country necessary for the proper and successful conduct of such election and has directed me to accept the custody of the arms and ammunition of [Page 345] those willing to place them in my custody, including the arms and ammunition of the forces of the Government, and to disarm forcibly those who do not peaceably deliver their arms.
The Government of Nicaragua has expressed its willingness to deliver the arms under its control and I have directed that such arms of the Government be accepted for custody in the same proportion that arms are delivered by the forces opposing the Government.
The Nicaraguan Government has granted general amnesty to all political and armed opponents. To facilitate the return to peaceful occupations of those who have heretofore opposed it that Government will pay 10 cordobas to each and every individual delivering a serviceable rifle or machine gun to the custody of the United States forces. Amnesty and protection are assured to such individuals by the Nicaraguan Government and by the forces under my command.
To avoid the regrettable and useless shedding of blood all individuals and leaders of groups, now having in their possession or in hiding serviceable rifles, machine guns or ammunition or who know of the location of such munitions as may be hidden, should immediately deliver them to the custody of the nearest detachment of the American forces. Upon such delivery payment of 10 cordobas will be made, in the presence of a Commission of United States officers, for each serviceable rifle or machine gun so delivered.
- Transmitted to the Department by the Minister in Nicaragua as an enclosure to his despatch No. 413, May 12, 1927; received May 24.↩