817.00/7–1944
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Nicaragua (Stewart)
Sir: The Department has received your despatch no. 2413 of July 19, 1944 in which you suggest, in answer to the Department’s telegram no. 304, July 16 [15], 6 p.m., that Colonel Lindberg be admonished against becoming involved in Nicaraguan political affairs.
Your attention is invited to the Department’s telegram no. 210 of May 19, 8 p.m., 1942.21 You are instructed to address a letter to [Page 1405] Colonel Lindberg, pointing out to him that, in issuing the order forbidding shops to close under pain of drastic penalties, he flagrantly violated the admonition which the Embassy then gave him at the Department’s instructions that under such circumstances he should consult the Embassy. You should emphasize to him that his action has occasioned serious embarrassment to this Government in maintaining its policy of non-intervention with respect to the internal affairs of other American Republics, since he is an American citizen and holds the position of Collector of Customs with the Secretary of State’s approval.
It has also come to the Department’s attention that the Nicaraguan authorities have endeavored to have Colonel Lindberg send tendentious reports to an American newspaper regarding political developments in Nicaragua. You should point out to Colonel Lindberg orally that he should refrain from sending such tendentious reports.
Yours very truly,
- Not printed.↩