816.01/101: Telegram
The Chargé in El Salvador (McCafferty) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:33 p.m.]
48. Referring to the last paragraph of your telegram 28, February 17, 6 p.m., as far as I have been able to ascertain, no allegations that Colonel Garay is in fact debarred or no doubts as to his eligibility under the treaty have been expressed by any important person or groups.
I have also been reliably informed that both the Second and Third Designates accompanied Arturo Araujo in his retreat from San Salvador which would indicate that they were not implicated.
I had an informal conversation this morning with the de facto Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs and he stated to me confidentially that he had talked to General Martínez yesterday regarding the present political situation. Martínez told him that he had no ambitions, that he was willing to step aside for the good of the country and was now giving much thought to the matter. He said, however, that his retirement from the Presidency presented great difficulties especially in the matter of his personal protection. He stated that there were many ambitious politicians who would immediately endeavor to make difficulties for him if he stepped aside and furthermore that the very severe measures which he was obliged to take to suppress the recent communistic movement have put him in a position where he must be assured of his future protection.
I am inclined to think that Martínez’s apprehension regarding future guarantees for himself is the principal reason for the delay in a reorganization of the Government in accordance with the treaty. This apprehension is very usual among outgoing Central American Presidents. There seems to be no doubt that the position of Martínez is a difficult one, but in my conversations with him I gained the impression that he desires to do the right thing.
I have heard from various sources that it had been proposed to [Page 579] Martínez that he might insure himself against future molestation by accepting the post of Minister of War in a constitutionally reorganized government (there does not appear to be anything in the 1923 treaty or the Constitution of Salvador which would bar Martínez from accepting such a post in a government legally reorganized in conformity with this treaty). This, however, presents political difficulties because it would require the retirement of Colonel Valdes who has been a strong supporter of Martínez and who would undoubtedly resent being separated from the Cabinet.
I told the Under Secretary that I hoped that whatever action was taken would be in strict accord with the provisions of the treaty of 1923 and he said that he was convinced that General Martínez realized the importance of acting in conformity with the pact.
For the Department’s information I may add that no adverse sentiment against the United States Government or this Legation has been evident here recently because of our stand on the question of nonrecognition.