wants and what he is working for. Although a Liberal, he has not made any request of Dr. Mejía, according to the latter, for position or preferment under the next administration. In private conversation with President Paz, I have urged upon him to get Ferrera out of the country if possible, as soon as he can. The state of anxiety now existing because of his presence and activities is sufficient indication of his dangerous and subversive character. It is greatly to be regretted that the Guatemalan Government permitted him to pass through that country from Tapachula, Mexico into Honduras. It seems hardly possible that he could have come through without the knowledge of the Guatemalan authorities. If this man continues in Honduras, he will be a center of disaffection, and disgruntled adventurers of all political parties or none will be drawn into his band should there appear to be the slightest chance to better their condition through upsetting the existing régime with consequent opportunities for loot. President Paz informs me he is endeavoring to have a confidential secret agent of his to get in touch with Ferrera with a view to discovering his desires and plans. President Paz also assured me that at the slightest move from Ferrera he would send troops against him from San Pedro Sula and that he was confident of the result. The situation is not now acute, but there are evidently elements of danger to public peace, and I venture respectfully to suggest that the visits of U. S. Naval Vessels to the north coast be continued as in the past, until after February 1st or until there is obviously no further need of them. The moral effect of these visits has undoubtedly been excellent. I have [etc.] 815.00/4322: Telegram HERSCHEL V. JOHNSON The Chargé in Honduras (Johnson) to the Secretary of State TEGUCIGALPA, December 20, 1928-3 p. m. 145. President Paz informed me today that propaganda of radical individuals in National Party in favor of annulment by Congress of Mejía election on grounds of fraud has produced a situation of great uneasiness and anxiety on the north coast. He believes a statement from the Department that no government arising from a coup d'état or through violence would be recognized, will be helpful. I do not believe the situation sufficiently acute to make necessary a declaration from the Department at present and I am convinced that many of the rumors of trouble are greatly exaggerated. In view however of the uneasiness on the north coast, and as a precautionary measure, I suggest that a United States naval vessel be held in readi ness to proceed at once to La Ceiba and that arrangements be made for a vessel to visit all the northern ports as early as possible in January. Repeated to consul at La Ceiba. JOHNSON 815.00/4335 The Chargé in Honduras (Johnson) to the Secretary of State No. 763 TEGUCIGALPA, December 22, 1928. [Received January 3, 1929.] SIR: I have the honor to report that the elections for municipal authorities, which were held throughout the Republic on November 25 resulted in the victory of Coalition candidates in an overwhelming majority of the municipalities. This information is generally public of course and was confirmed to me by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, although no official statement has been published nor official returns. I have [etc.] HERSCHEL V. JOHNSON 815.00/4325: Telegram The Chargé in Honduras (Johnson) to the Secretary of State TEGUCIGALPA, December 24, 1928—11 a. m. 146. Public anxiety and apprehension of trouble has increased greatly in last few days due largely to uncertainty action Congress will take on election of Mejía Colindres. Situation further aggravated by fantastic and exaggerated rumors of impending trouble circulated by irresponsible individuals including some deputies of the National Party. President Paz believes a statement at this time from the Legation acting under instructions from the Department would have a highly beneficial effect in calming popular anxiety and checking any possible subversive movement which may be in preparation; and he has requested me to telegraph the following suggested statement to the Department for its consideration: "The United States Government is following the development of the present political situation with the greatest interest and it would view with deep concern any alteration of public peace provoked by any combination whatever tending to upset the result of the popular election as held in October and it is earnestly hoped that the problem may receive definite solution in the greatest harmony and fraternity of the Honduranean people." This or some similar statement from the Department during the present week would undoubtedly be helpful particularly as a check on any possible subversive move in the Congress. JOHNSON 815.00/4332: Telegram The Chargé in Honduras (Johnson) to the Secretary of State TEGUCIGALPA, December 29, 1928—11 a. m. [Received 4:05 p. m.] 148. My telegram No. 146 of December 24, 11 a. m. Political situation appears to have improved greatly in the past few days with noticeable diminution of official and public anxiety and apprehension of trouble. JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION OF THE EMBARGO ON THE SHIPMENT OF ARMS AND MUNITIONS TO HONDURAS 815.113 Mosheim & Co., E. The Minister in Honduras (Summerlin) to the Secretary of State No. 621 TEGUCIGALPA, May 29, 1928. [Received June 12.] SIR: With reference to the Department's telegram No. 30, March 30, 5 P. M., in regard to an application for license to export fifteen thousand rounds of 32 and 38 caliber revolver cartridges to Francisco Siercke of Tegucigalpa, and to the Legation's telegram No. 46, April 3, 2 P. M., in reply thereto, recommending, after conference with Honduran authorities, that no licenses be granted at present for shipments of arms and or ammunition to Honduras, except to the Government, I have the honor to report that I am in receipt of confidential information, from a reliable source, to the effect that this shipment of ammunition has been made by the "Dominion Cartridge Company, Limited, of Montreal", Canada, by way of Kingston, Jamaica, to Amapala. I am further informed that the consular invoices for the shipment were handled by the Honduran Consul at Philadelphia. I have brought the matter informally to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I have [etc.] 815.113/303a: Telegram GEORGE T. SUMMERLIN The Secretary of State to the Minister in Honduras (Summerlin) WASHINGTON, June 20, 1928-11 a. m. 52. Reference your despatch No. 621 May 29, 1928. You may informally and confidentially bring to the attention of the Honduran Government the active efforts of this Government for some time 'Not printed. past to prevent clandestine shipments of arms and ammunition from the United States to parties in Honduras other than those to whom import licenses have been granted by Honduras. The embargo on exportation of arms and ammunition from the United States to Honduras was laid at request of the Honduran Government and is maintained for the protection of that Government. The United States has been glad to be of assistance to Honduras in this manner and does not seek to alter the status. However if the embargo becomes merely a barrier to American export trade and through unrestricted exportation from other countries its effectiveness in protecting Honduran Government is lost the Department would find difficulty in continuing defense of the embargo in the face of protests by American exporters and would be forced to give serious consideration to lifting it. The Department therefore hopes that the Honduran Government will cooperate by limiting import licenses for arms and ammunition in such manner that the embargo if maintained by the United States will prove effective. KELLOGG 815.113/311 The Minister in Honduras (Summerlin) to the Secretary of State No. 639 TEGUCIGALPA, June 21, 1928. SIR: I have the honor to refer to the Department's telegram No. 52, June 20, 11 A. M., in regard to clandestine shipments of arms and ammunition from the United States to parties in Honduras other than those to whom import licenses have been granted by the Government of Honduras, and to report that the matter has been brought to the attention of the President of the Republic and of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, both of whom expressed appreciation of the Department's assistance to Honduras in connection with attempted contraband shipments. The Minister for Foreign Affairs informed me that the Honduran Consul at Philadelphia, who is reported to have handled the Consular invoice documents in connection with the alleged shipment of ammunition, would be removed. I have [etc.] GEORGE T. SUMMERLIN See proclamation No. 1689, Mar. 22, 1924, prohibiting exportation of arms and munitions of war to Honduras, and proclamation No. 1697, May 15, 1924, prescribing as an exception to the provisions of proclamation of Mar. 22, 1924, arms and munitions exported with consent of Secretary of State, Foreign Relations, 1924, vol. п, pp. 322, 324. 815.113/311: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister in Honduras (Summerlin) [Paraphrase] WASHINGTON, July 12, 1928-5 p. m. 62. Department's telegram No. 52, June 20, 11 a. m., and your despatch No. 639, June 21. What steps, if any, has the Government of Honduras taken to cooperate in making effective in the future the embargo against contraband shipments to Honduras? KELLOGG 815.113/317 The Minister in Honduras (Summerlin) to the Secretary of State No. 667 TEGUCIGALPA, July 30, 1928. [Received August 9.] SIR: With reference to the Department's telegram No. 62, July 12, 5 P. M., inquiring what steps, if any, the Government of Honduras has taken to cooperate in making effective in the future the embargo against contraband shipments to Honduras, I have the honor to report that the Minister for Foreign Affairs has stated to me that special instructions have been given to Honduran Consuls in the United States and in Canada, and will be given to the consuls in Mexico, to refuse to issue consular documents for shipments of arms and munitions of war to Honduras without the express authorization of the Government. I am informed also that all Honduran port authorities have been specifically instructed in the matter. I have [etc.] GEORGE T. SUMMERLIN PROTEST AGAINST LIBELOUS ATTACK IN THE NEWSPAPER "EL CRONISTA" UPON ROY TASCO DAVIS, AMERICAN MINISTER IN COSTA RICA 714.1515/644 : Telegram The Minister in Honduras (Summerlin) to the Secretary of State TEGUCIGALPA, April 29, 1928-noon. [Received April 30-1: 25 a. m.] 57. El Cronista last evening printed telegram sent on April 26th by Felix Canales Salazar, an engineer in Tegucigalpa, to his brotherin-law, Angel Zuniga Huete, an Honduran Liberal emigrado now in San Jose, Costa Rica, inquiring if Mr. Davis were ever anywhere an employee of the United Fruit Company. The reply of Zuniga, dated April 27th, was also published and is a vicious libel on Mr. Davis, 8 Roy Tasco Davis, American Minister in Costa Rica, and representative of the United States on the Guatemalan Honduran Boundary Commission. |