In conversation with the President the other day he told me that he was aware that certain reforms in the Constitution were being contemplated but that he would have nothing to do with the conversations. Nevertheless it was apparent that no reforms of the nature described would be introduced without his approval. I should appreciate immediate instructions as to the attitude I should take in the event that my information concerning the projected reform is confirmed. BEAULAC 817.00/6555: Telegram The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State MANAGUA, March 14, 1930-11 a. m. [Received 4:04 p. m.] 33. My 32, March 13, 5 p. m. Prominent officials of the Government profess ignorance of the exact contents of the project of reform and state that its introduction into the Senate was a complete surprise to them. I have not discussed the matter with President Moncada pending the receipt of information concerning the Department's attitude. The Vice President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs have expressed the opinion that the President would not permit any reform, of the character proposed, to be actually carried out without prior consultation with the Legation. I agreed that it was reasonable to suppose that that would be his attitude. The project of reform was apparently introduced into the Senate at 6:30 on the evening of March 12 after a great many Senators had left the Chamber. It was hurriedly read and immediately carried away by the president of the Senate. It is due to be read for the second time and discussed in the Senate Tuesday, March 18. It is generally reported that in addition to the reforms mentioned in my telegram No. 32 the project provides for female suffrage, the restriction of the right of vote to literates, an addition to chapter 18 of the Constitution to make the Guardia Nacional constitutional, the substitution of local boards for municipal governments in ports, and the abolition of the jury system. [Paraphrase.] Although it is evident and generally conceded that a project of such importance could not have been introduced without his knowledge and will not be passed without his consent, I anticipate that President Moncada will maintain the attitude that he has nothing to do with the proposed reform. [End paraphrase.] Ex-President Diaz informs me that Liberal members of Congress are stating that the project was prepared and introduced in agreement with the Legation. I told him that the Legation had nothing to do with it and repeated my conversation with him to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Ex-President Diaz asked me to receive a delegation of Conservative senators who desired to consult with the Legation regarding the project but I declined. BEAULAC 817.00/6555: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) WASHINGTON, March 15, 1930-4 p. m. 29. Your 32, March 13, 5 p. m. and 35 [33], March 14, 11 a. m. While the question of the amendment of the constitution is one to be determined by the proper Nicaraguan authorities you will please say informally to President Moncada that this Government always deprecates the adoption of constitutional amendments which extend the term of officials at the time in office. It feels that such amendments are contrary to the spirit of republican institutions and they usually react disastrously in the long run on the administration for whose benefit they are enacted. The adoption of such an amendment in Nicaragua at the present time would be especially unwelcome to the Government of the United States, because of its supervision of the recent presidential election and because of the assistance which it has been rendering to President Moncada in the maintenance of order in Nicaragua. It feels that this assistance justifies it in expressing its views in a friendly and informal manner to the President, and that it would in fact be lacking in candor if it did not do so. COTTON 817.011/41:Telegram The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Acting Secretary of State MANAGUA, March 18, 1930-5 p. m. [Received 7:47 p. m.] 38. Department's 29, March 15, 4 p. m. I delivered the Department's message to President Moncada informally this morning. He had, however, first reminded me that he had not intervened and could not intervene in the matter. I told him that in a matter of such fundamental importance it appeared to me that he must use his influence for the good of Nicaragua. He said that he did not wish to impose his will on Congress and I replied that I saw no reason why he should not give Congress the benefit of his opinion. He said that there was no present danger as two years would have to elapse before the project could be finally approved. I replied that it seemed to me desirable that a matter involving such dangers to Nicaragua should be stopped in the beginning rather than be allowed to gain headway. He then said that he was in agreement and would communicate his ideas to Congress informally but that he would not send any written statement. I replied that the method he chose would seem to be a matter for his decision. Doctor Cuadra Pasos called this morning and said that the governing board of the Conservative Party was in a quandary as to what attitude to take and would naturally like to know the attitude of the State Department since agreement with the Department was the basis of the party's policy. He had particular reference to the provisions for the extension of terms of office holders. I told him that I could not advise the parties on matters of this nature but speaking entirely personally I saw no reason why he should not, if he so desired, base his attitude on his knowledge of the traditional attitude of the United States and his own experience in such matters. Both President Moncada and Cuadra Pasos expressed doubt that the project would pass in the Chamber of Deputies where the Conservative element was in a position to block it. It is unfortunate that reforms which are obviously undesirable should have been embodied in a single project with other reforms which are generally considered desirable. If the project is defeated the desirable reforms will be lost also. On the other hand if Congress approves the project as a whole with the idea of later defeating the undesirable reforms one by one as apparently it would ordinarily have the opportunity of doing, it is possible that the individual reforms will not be voted upon separately and the project will be considered as finally approved. Cuadra Pasos suggested that President Moncada might be willing to encourage the governing boards of the two parties to agree to a second project of reform embodying only the desirable changes. If he were willing to do this I think it would be a desirable solution. I think, however, that he would reiterate his intention not to mix in the matter. Perhaps the least dangerous procedure would be to allow the entire project to be defeated thus sacrificing the desirable reforms. I believe the Conservative Party would follow any sugges tion I made but while I cannot refrain from seeing prominent members of the party who come here I am trying to avoid giving the impression that the Department is seeking through what influence it may have with the Conservative Party to defeat a measure which either the President or the Liberal Party desires. Dr. Cuadra Pasos also suggested the calling of a constituent assembly in place of legislative elections this year and said that in that case his party would be satisfied with supervision by an American president of the election board assisted mainly by the Guardia. President Moncada was very apparently annoyed this morning and it was apparent when I began my conversation that he intended to continue to maintain that he could have nothing to do with the project in any way. I therefore doubt that he would be very eager to take the initiative in substituting for the present project one embodying the essential and desirable reforms which might be agreed upon by both parties. I do not, however, see that he could object to an informal and friendly suggestion in that sense and if the Department desires I shall be glad to advance it. A copy of the project in full was forwarded by air mail Sunday. BEAULAC 817.011/43: Telegram The Chargé in Nicaragua (Beaulac) to the Acting Secretary of State MANAGUA, March 28, 1930-4 p. m. [Received 7:25 p. m.] 41. My telegram number 38, March 18, 5 p. m. The national and legal governing board of the Conservative Party following a meeting yesterday issued the following statement: "Since in the opinion of Conservative Party the reforms presented do not satisfy or meet the needs and problems of the present public life of Nicaragua which should be treated in an elevated discussion and in a legal manner, the party, which would gladly consent to and accept a broad treatment which would compromise [comprise?] all the changes necessary to the country at this time, declares that it cannot accept the amendments to the Constitution which are at present being discussed in the Senate except insofar as they refer to the fulfillment of international obligations, and it expects that all members of the party within their respective activities will maintain its principles inviolate and defend them within their powers." The Senate committee is said to have submitted a favorable report on the project. President Moncada now seems to take it for granted that it is intended that the proposed extension of the presidential term will apply to him. He has told me that while he naturally feels complimented he does not favor the idea and has so stated to members of Congress. So far as I know however only one member of Congress has stated in debate that the President does not favor the project. BEAULAC 817.032/100: Telegram The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State MANAGUA, May 10, 1930-noon. [Received 2:40 p. m.] 53. The regular session of the Nicaraguan Congress terminated yesterday. Department's air mail instruction of March 22." The proposed amendments to the Constitution have not been approved. It did not appear necessary to communicate to President Moncada the Secretary's informal personal message. Department's telegram number 37, April 18 [19], 2 p. m.42 The appropriation for the Guardia is 760,000 cordobas but President Moncada has given me informal assurance that the Guardia will not be reduced in strength and that he can and will make additional necessary funds available as during the present fiscal year. He has told me that he could not insist upon a larger appropriation in the present state of public opinion. The Department's instruction No. 645, of April 19,43 is receiving the Legation's attention. HANNA CONCERN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OVER REPRESSIVE MEASURES OF PRESIDENT MONCADA 44 817.00/6910 The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State No. 262 MANAGUA, December 9, 1930. [Received January 2, 1931.] SIR: I have the honor to report that a number of Nicaraguans have been arrested by order of the Comandancia General which is immediately subordinate to the orders of President Moncada and have been confined in the penitentiary in Managua without formal charges being made against them. These arrests have been made since the recent elections, and I understand the prisoners are all members of the Conservative Party. The general impression appears to be that these arrests were made on reports submitted by the secret agents of this Government which indicated that the prisoners were engaged in subversive activities against the Government. It has also been freely stated that some or all of them were plotting to assassinate President Moncada. Among the first individuals to be thus arrested were General Roberto Hurtado and General Marcos Potosmi who were defeated candidates for Congress of the Conservative Party in the recent elections. General Emiliano Chamorro and Don Adolfo Diaz called upon me separately and protested against these arrests, asserting that they were arbitrary and without foundation and claiming that they were the first move in a campaign to terrorize the Conservative Party for the effect this might have on the presidential elections in 1932. 41 Not printed. 42 Ante, p. 657. 43 Same as instruction No. 4, April 19, p. 657. 44 Continued from Foreign Relations, 1929, vol. ш, pp. 590-606. |