HEADQUARTERS, CENTRAL AREA
GUARDIA NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA
JINOTEGA, NICARAGUA
29 January, 1930.

From:      The Area Commander.
To:        The Jefe Director, Guardia Nacional, Managua
 
Subject:   Tomas Guatemala, report on.
 
1.   I have to report that Tomas Guatemala has not performed any services of benefit to the troops occupying this Area, and his reports have been of such nature as to indicate falsehood and positive insincerity.
 
2.   The subject named man has made reports from time to time as to location of bandit groups, and upon investigation these reports have proved false. One example of this nature is that he reported Pedron Altamirano with sixty men camped at Tomatoya on the night of 15-16 January, 1930. A combat patrol was immediately despatched, and thoroughly investigated the area, and found no indications of any bandits having been in this area for about one month. Tomas Guatemala lives within one league of Tomatoya. Other reports from this man have been found to be of similar nature.
 
3.   On the night of 15-16 January, 1930, I ordered Tomas Guatemala to proceed next day to Los Cuchillos, get in touch with Montenegro, who was reported to be so located with six men, and talk with Montenegro with reference to receiving guarantees and reward for rendering service to the Government. He was directed to arrange for a conference between myself and Montenegro at any place and under any conditions of armistice and protection that Montenegro might desire. Guatemala reported to me last night that he had left his home January 17th, conferred with Montenegro on January 18th, and returned to his home January 19th. He further reported that Montenegro refused to consider any proposition, and threatened his life for making such a suggestion. This report is undoubtedly entirely false, and I have every reason to believe that Guatemala held no conference with Montenegro and did not go to Los Cuchillos. His description of the place where the conference was held was inaccurate, since I am familiar with the locality, and First Lieutenant Marcos, G.N., who was present during the report, is thoroughly familiar with the places reported upon. His report was very incoherent. / p. 2 /
 
4.   Another agent named Villegas, whose truthfulness and loyalty has been proven and whose life was spared some months past, was informed that a rumor was about that Tomas Guatemala was in a certain locality. He was directed to locate him, follow him from January 17th to 20th inclusive, and report upon who visited and conferred with him during this time. This agent returned on January 20th and reported that it was true that Guatemala was in the vicinity, described his house, stated that Guatemala was drunk in his brother's house on January 18th, and that on January 19th, Guatemala went to Los Robles with a woman to purchase a pig, and that he could assist in his capture at anytime. He was informed to keep this man under surveillance as a bandit spy until we were able to capture his confederates. Villegas has no knowledge of Guatemala's connection with the Guardia or of any plans to communicate with Montenegro.
 
5.   On January 25th as Captain Puller's combat patrol was arriving at Jinotega, Braulio Altamirano, nephew of Pedron Altamirano and a member of his band, met and passed the patrol very near Guatemala's house, stopped near the house and bought a drink. This man was recognized by Villegas, who was some distance in the rear of the patrol, and immediate report was made. Guatemala stated, when questioned, that he saw the patrol, recognized various other people who passed at the same time, that he was in a position of observation all morning, that he knew Braulio Altamirano very well, but denied that he passed that day. The report that Braulio Altamirano did pass the patrol near Guatemala's house has been confirmed from other sources.
 
6.   Tomas Guatemala was ordered last night to proceed immediately to Guali area, locate Pedron Altamirano's camp in that general vicinity, which has been reported as Santa Maria and also as Cerro Venado, prepare a map of all trails that may lead to the camp (including blind trails), and return with names of persons in Jinotega who are familiar with these trails. (The persons who know the trails will be arrested and ordered to serve as guides in event the camp is located).
 
7.   It is believed that Tomas Guatemala is unreliable, and his connection and friendship with the bandits is very strongly suspected. It is recommended that this office be authorized to arrest him and immediately transfer him to the National Penitentiary as an escaped prisoner, unless he produces reliable information upon return from his present assignment.
 
/s/ G. B. Erskine,
Acting.

M30.01.29.  RG127/209/3

 
Secret-ws
January 30, 1929.

Statement of Tomás Guatemala.

 

I state: That having received a letter directed to me by the Jefe Político of Jinotega don Rigoberto Reyes, in the month of August last [August 1928] he informed me that the President of the Republic Don Adolfo Diaz had given ample guarantees to those that had committed criminal faults in the ranks of General Sandino, and to assure his affirmations he sent me several pamphlets published by the newspapers, observing also that I was anxious to see my family and that it was time for me to come before the authorities and received the guarantees offered. I wanted to leave those ranks from which I was already running away, as soon as I received the letter, I decided to come to Jinotega which is my native town, and on the 14th of September [1928] with two more friends I came before don Rigoberto Reyes to procure my amnesty, and accompanied by don Rigoberto Reyes and Dr. Trinidad Castellon went to the American Command who at that time had as its Jefe Captain Shaw. They referred the Captain that came to claim the guarantee which the Government had offered.
 
After that the Captain discussed with them for a long time the guarantees that were to be given to me, decided, that he did not find it convenient to extend me my passport [safe-conduct pass], but it was necessary for me to go to his office so as to help him to receive the statement from the other two who had come with me. On the afternoon of the same day, 14 September last, the Captain personally took my oath in which I was required not to take up arms against the Nicaraguan Government and against the American Marines while they are helping the Government of Nicaragua. Under these conditions, also expressed in the passport, he extended the referred passport as my guarantee.
 
It is natural that on leaving the ranks of Sandino they would accuse me as a traitor. I remained for some time in my house at the Llano de La Cruz, two miles North of this town, but as the time for the election was closing, the committee of propaganda pro-Moncada in Jinotega, appointed me Inspector of Propaganda of the Bocaycito zone up to La Cruz and the Valle of Pantasma of this jurisdiction.
 
In charge of this commission, I left Jinotega on the 27th of September (as far as I can remember), but when I reached Paso Real I was informed that the first assassination had happened and which had been committed by the troops of General Sandino in the person of don Gonzalo Blandon, don Carmen Valdivia, and four men more. Being a personal friend of Dr. Blandon and Valdivia I wanted to wait for news and see what I could do for them, for they were assassinated on the pretext of being propagandists (according to what we were informed by some members of the families of the dead men). When I was informed that the bodies of the assassinated men had already been four days without being buried, and while staying in the house of don Audilio Palacios, a brother of don Carmen Valdivia, I advised that a number of six men at least, should be looked for in order to bury the men, and effectively, we did not find six men but ten, and went towards the place where the bodies of the men were, which was at a distance of about four leagues from the place where I was, and once we reached the place we buried two of the bodies and brought home that of Valdivia.
 
In order to fulfill this commission it was necessary to take some time, I had a delay of two days on my way, and as the mother of Valdivia begged me not to go again too far into the mountains as something could happen to me. Two days after I went to "Cua" and when I reached the place called El Guapinol, I was informed that Pedro Altamirano, nicknamed Pedron, had passed by that place asking for me, saying that he would cut my head off as soon as he captured me, and as he had taken the road which comes out at the Llanos de Jinotega. I could not return because the road was intercepted by the troops of Pedron and had to continue towards "Cua" to carry out my commission of propaganda two or three days after being in "Cua" was informed of the fatal news that at the place called La Pavona, Geronimo Gutierrez and others had been assassinated, and because this place is close to "Cua" I had to run away while Pedron passed by. He came close to "Cua" and I had to run away as he was informed that I was in propaganda and pursued me with his troops, but fear and good luck kept me in the bush, but he laughed at this, assuring according to what I was informed that I would not escape from him.
 
When I was informed that he left that place, I returned to Jinotega, where the news of my death had already been spread. The first thing I did was to go to the Jefatura Politica, to inform the Jefe Politico what had happened. He received me with courtesy and advised me to go to the [Guardia] Command and inform them, which I did. The Jefe of the Command received me with courtesy and told me that he had been informed as to my being assassinated but that he was glad that it was not so. My acting as the Jefe de Propaganda ended like this in that zone.
 
I also told the Jefe of the Command that I could not expose myself to go alone in those places. Since that time I remained in my house at Apanas, until 9 December, the date on which I reached an agreement with don Lucas Zeas to work for him as resident manager [mandador] of his coffee plantation, situated on the other side of the Rio Tuma, of this jurisdiction, but on the 18th of January of the current year I was informed that Pedro Altamirano was near the place where I was with troops. The next day I sent a workman to see what direction he had taken and the worker informed me that he was told that Pedron was heading toward Coyolar. On the 20th I was informed that Guardias Nacionales and a few Marines were following Pedron and not wishing them to return I came back to Jinotega to see if I could get any people to pick coffee.
 
In one of my trips to the town, Thursday, 24th of the current month, I met a man in the street whom I know and his name is Nicolas Davila, who delivered to me several papers, ignoring its contents, and I only "pude" a letter which was directed by General Sandino, saying that in spite of my being impartial he sent me a safe-conduct pass, not to return to his ranks but to dedicate myself to work.
 
I followed my way and when I came to the house of don Balbino Garcia, don Clemente Torres came and I was brought to the office of the Guardia Nacional and from there I was taken to jail where I am now. I must also say that I have been well treated by the Jefe Politico and Director of Police and the Marines, especially by the officers who never mistreated me but treated me with courtesy. Don Lucas Zeas can give a good reference about me and can show the letter I wrote to him from his hacienda, he is also the owner of the mule I rode the day I was captured.
 
Jinotega, 30 January, 1929
 
/s/ Tomas Guatemala.

M30.01.29. RG127/209/3

 
No. 7/rgh

 

HEADQUARTERS GUARDIA NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA
MANAGUA, NICARAGUA.
5 February 1929.

From:    The Jefe Director
To:      The Division Commander, G.N., National Penitentiary
 
Subject: Bandit Prisoner Tomas Guatemala.
 
1.       Please confine Tomas Guatemala in the National Penitentiary as a bandit prisoner.
 
2.       He was captured by the Guardia Nacional in Jinotega with correspondence and papers on his person from Sandino to himself and Guadalupe Rivera. The papers which form the evidence against Guatemala are in the GN-2 file at Guardia Headquarters and can be found in Tomas Guatemala's personal folder and in a large envelope attached thereto.

Victor F. Bleasedale,
Major, Guardia Nacional,
GN-2
By direction.
Dist: Jinotega. Jinotega-2. Nat. Pen. Nat Pen.-2. Tomas Guatemala.

RG127/202/16/File 76

S E C R E T
24 October, 1929.

Jefe Director Gen. McDougal to Capt. Hanneken.
 
 
 
S E C R E T  24 October, 1929.
 
From:        The Jefe Director
To:          Captain H. H. Hanneken, G.N.
Via:         Area Commander, Central Area, Ocotal.
 
Subject:     Tuma Guatemala
 
1.   Attached hereto is the intelligence report on Tuma Guatemala captured by the Marines and held as a bandit prisoner in the Penitentiary.
 
2.   It has been suggested to me several times that Tuma be used as a secret service man in the Jinotega Area to obtain information through his former bandit connections as he had given some fairly accurate information in the past and seemed willing to cooperate.
 
3.   A few days ago I had a talk with this man and offered him his liberty provided he would play square with us and would act as an agent of Captain Hanneken's in the procurement of information. Accordingly he was allowed to escape last night and, after one day's visit with his family here in hiding, he will proceed to Jinotega and there report to Captain Hanneken. I furnished him with a paper which states that "he is Tuma Guatemala of whom I have written a letter." His escape will be published in the papers in order to protect him in his negotiations with the bandits. He states that it would not be safe for him to visit Altamirano's camp as Altamirano has information that he has guided Marines and has assisted the Brigade. However he believes that through friends he can pick up much useful information.
 
4.   He was advanced $10 for his expenses to Jinotega and you are authorized to pay him small amounts from time to time provided he is producing, not to exceed $50 a month. This money is not in the nature of payment for services but for his subsistence and expenses as he is performing this duty in exchange for his freedom.
 
5.   He was told that if he gave faithful service and valuable information that the charges would be dropped against him and that he would be given complete freedom. Please keep me informed on the value of this experiment.
 
/s/ D. C. McDougal

M30.01.29.  RG127/209/3