817.1051/636
The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 2.]
Sir: With reference to the Department’s instruction No. 354 of April 20, 1932, concerning the preparation of a basic law to govern the Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua once the present Guardia Agreement between the United States and Nicaragua becomes ineffective, I have the honor to report that I have discussed this question with General Matthews, and it is our opinion that there is still some danger that if the subject is brought up now, so soon after President Moncada’s endeavor to arrange for a reform of the constitution this year, it may be injected into the present disordered political situation and its chance of final success prejudiced.
It would appear now that the earliest time at which this matter might be brought up with reasonable safety will be after the present conflict within the Liberal Party has been settled, presumably with the nomination of its candidate for the Presidency. If the Department has no objection, therefore, I should prefer not to discuss this matter until that time. This should not result in any delay in passing the legislation recommended, as the proposed law probably cannot be presented to Congress in any case until its next sessions in December.
Respectfully yours,