814.00/1037: Telegram
The Minister in Guatemala (Whitehouse) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:15 p.m.]
131. Baudilio Palma’s resignation as Second Vice President was sent to the Assembly this morning. Owing to the delay in securing it and the absence of a good many Deputies, the meeting of the Assembly has been postponed until tomorrow. Meanwhile, eight or ten people are either under arrest or being looked for.
[Paraphrase.] I have just told Orellana that I thought no more arrests should be made and that those arrested should be set free. He replied that it was a preventive measure and that they were being held only until after the meeting of the Assembly.… I then asked that there be no armed forces in the precincts of the Assembly to which Orellana agreed.
My view is that General Reyes will probably be elected First Vice President which will be satisfactory …