817.00 Bandit Activities, 1931/60: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:37 p.m.]
34. Legation’s telegrams 26, April 17, 8 p.m., and 28, April 18, 11 a.m.20 The Jefe Director of the Guardia Nacional has sent the following telegram to the Guardia Commander at Bluefields: [Page 817]
“Your 15417 was quoted verbatim to Washington with strong recommendations that naval vessels be permitted to remain in east coast harbors primarily for moral effect and prepared to land forces in case of extreme emergency only. Our Government is very desirous of avoiding having United States forces drawn into internal police duties of Nicaraguan cities. The landing of Sacramento Marines and relieving auxiliars and reserve police from duty will no doubt appear in Washington as a violation of the terms of my recommendation. It is not the policy to ask for actual landing of United States forces except as a last resort. Towns should be policed by auxiliars and reserve police during absence of Guardia on patrol if possible. Take steps to resume police of town at the earliest possible moment and request United States forces reembark as soon as Guardia can in your discretion control situation. Matthews.”
- Latter not printed.↩