817.041/13: Telegram
The Chargé in Nicaragua (Munro) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17—12:58 a.m.]
246. I discussed the question of the appellate courts with the President this morning. While he feels as I do that the Supreme Court acted improperly in the matter he admitted that it would be difficult to restore the Chamorro judges at Leon now that they have withdrawn from office and permitted the former judges to take possession. He felt that the Chamorro judges had done wisely in withdrawing in view of the violent agitation against them in Leon. He said that the best solution might be to recognize the court as now constituted at Leon while leaving the Chamorro judge in possession at Bluefields and he promised to discuss the matter with his legal advisers to see if the administration could properly accept such a solution.
Please inform me as soon as possible whether this solution will be acceptable to the Department if President Diaz will consent to it. I believe that it would be better to settle the matter on this basis than to attempt to compel the Supreme Court to reverse its decision and recognize the Chamorro judges. The latest date [sic] procedure would involve a public humiliation of the Supreme Court and might also cause further agitation at Leon like that which led the Chamorro judges to withdraw. I have thus far refrained from discussing any compromise with the Liberals or the Supreme Court in order to remain in a stronger position to insist upon the reinstatement of the Chamorro judges should the Department wish me to do so.