816.01/388: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:45 a.m.]
23. In my conversation with the President this afternoon prior to the receipt of the Department’s 10, January 20, 3 p.m., I expressed my personal view, pointing out that I had no authorization from the Department to say so, that Ubico’s objections seemed to me to be merely objections as to the form of the Sacasa plan. … I told him that I thought he could, without sacrificing the principles of his plan, grant concessions to Ubico. … On his agreeing to what I suggested personally, I told him I would submit to him this evening (when he had an engagement to dine with us at the Legation) a draft of a telegram to the Department, I wishing to make certain that I would correctly represent his views.
In the meantime the Department’s telegram 10, January 20, 3 p.m., arrived.
Tonight my telegram No. 21, January 20, midnight, was shown to President and Federico Sacasa both of whom said that it represented President’s views and that it was substantially similar to instructions sent to Crisanto Sacasa today.
I have emphasized to the Department the point, which may appear insignificant, that Sacasa agreed to accept Ubico’s reported views in principle prior to receipt of suggestions from Department (tonight I acquainted President with views contained in Department’s 10, January 20, 3 p.m.). I had in mind that Ubico would be flattered to think that he had compelled Sacasa to accept his point of view and that, on the other hand, Sacasa could feel with truth that he had generously granted concessions to Ubico.