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A Documentary History |
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| The Sandino Rebellion in Nicaragua | |||
| 1927-1934 | |||
| © Michael J. Schroeder, 2007-08 | |||
| Top 100, p. 9 | |||
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July 1929-January 1930 |
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| Pages 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 | |||
17 July 1929. Information on Rebels in San Juan de Telpaneca area by Prisoner Alejandro Medina.
This report on information provided by rebel prisoner Alejandro Medina offers a glimpse into rebel activity in an important sub-region of Las Segovias that remained a hotbed of rebellion till the end of the war: the zone on the north side of the Río Coco after it makes its westward bend from Santa Cruz (Vigía), dominated by towering volcanic mountains El Ojoche, El Silencio, El Chamaste, and Las Cruces. This sub-region, referred to here as the San Juan de Telpaneca area, had become an important coffee-growing zone in the previous 2-3 decades.
The preeminent jefe in this zone was Reyes López, described here in some detail (of whom no photograph exists, to my knowledge). We also get detailed physical descriptions of José León Díaz (pictured at left), Dionisio (Nicho) Centeno, and Pedro Antonio Irías. Also of interest is the mention of Ladislao Palacios, a jefe who first appears in the documents in October 1927; was appointed colonel by August 1930; and who remained active till the end of the war. (left: photograph of José León Díaz, ca. 1931)
The descriptions of the relations between rebel men and women also merit attention. The only thing in this report that does not jibe with other evidence is Medina's description of the rape of Lino Duarte's wife. As noted, Sandino simply did not tolerate rape.
By this time, Sandino was in Mexico seeking external support. The report illustrates how the rebellion simmered in various sub-regions during his absence. Interestingly, exactly fifty years after Alejandro Medina was captured, the dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle fled Nicaragua; two days later, on July 19, 1979, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) seized state power, launching the era of the Sandinista Revolution (1979-1990).
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... From Captain Roger's G.N. report, 22 July:
The following information secured from prisoner Alejandro Medina, captured at El Chamaste, 17 July, 1929, and now confined at San Juan, is furnished.
A messenger Rosalio Salinas, brother of Lazaro Salinas, had arrived at Chamste 17 July with a message from Jose Leon Diaz to Feliciana v. de Salas [widow of Salas] stating that he was then on El Silencio and wanted to see her there. The woman is pregnant and Medina states the child is Diaz [Diaz's]. According to Medina, Diaz is 50 years old, short, heavy set, fairly white bearded with beard trimmed from time to time, beard is black, black eyes, nose somewhat flat, wide mouth, black thick lips, heavy hair on arms, average chin, black curly hair, neck shaved. Diaz was supposed to have come from Babilonia about fifteenth of July where he had arrived from neighborhood of Las Cruces.
Medina states he also knows Reyes Lopez very well as he, Medina, lived at Babilonia, on finca of Lucio Melgara where Reyes visited his woman Demetria. States Reyes Lopez is about 40 years of age, clean shaven, coffee colored, heavy set, short, has ugly straight black hair parted on side. Wears breeches, putts, etc, with big dark hat. Nose medio unato [sic], black eyes, big mouth, thick protruding lips and small ears. Carries a big Mauser pistol. States last patrol after Reyes almost caught him in his house and that a bullet passed through the front of his shirt as he ran.
Nicho Centeno assistant to Reyes is about 30 years of age, 69" in height, dark heavy set, mustache chele, flat nosed, eyes medio sarco, hair somewhat curly, has 45 Colt pistol. Goes everywhere Reyes goes.
Pedro Irias according to Medina is about 35 years old, round faced, short, delgadito [slender], several years younger than Diaz, about same height, whiter even than Diaz. Las saw him about two or three months ago. Went South from Silencio with about thirty men via Ojoche-El Arco-Achotales-West of Yali-La Mesa apparently about time of the affair at Concordia. Heard that Irias had gone over around Chontales.
Says order of importance of Jefes is Diaz-Irias-Reyes. Says Reyes had about thirty men six weeks ago. Has no Thompsons but one Lewis with ammunition carried in sacks. Lewis in good working order. Lewis gunner was Ladislao Palacios -- Medina insists his name is Darislago Palacio. Is about thirty years old, tall, heavy set, big mustache.
The gang whose headquarters was Chamaste was headed by Lazaro Salinas who has about fifteen men and is a sub-jefe of Reyes. This gang killed Lino Duarte, Juez de Mesta of Santa Rita on July 16, 1929, and then one of the gang raped Duartes wife. Known members of this gang are five Salinas brothers, Lazaro, Pedro, Anacleto, Rosalio and one other unknown. Miguel Blandon, nephew of Pedro Blandon bandit jefe of La Rica was probably wounded in rushing the house of Lazaro Salinas the night of July 17, but escaped by falling over a hill. He had a 38 S&W revolver. Fidel Rayo is supposed to have presented himself to General Plata at Yali. The woman of Rayo was in this house but escaped during the night while bringing in water. Her name is Juana Alaniz.
Medina knows Altamirano but has not seen him for some time. ...
IR29.07.28: 7-8. RG127/209/1.
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17 July 1929. Information from Native Seized & Released by Rebels under Pedrón.
Produced on the same day as the foregoing report, this report from Captain Hanneken shows the other main zone of rebel activity during Sandino's journey to Mexico: the wilds of Jinotega north and east of the coffee district. Hanneken's deductions were accurate: Sandino had appointed General Pedro Altamirano the principal jefe in his absence. Also of interest are the descriptions of the rebels' organizational hierarchy; their armaments, material resources, and camp life; and Pedrón's infected knee (he walked everywhere, so an infected knee must have really hampered his operations).
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... Set forth below is a report submitted by Captain Hanneken, G.N. July 17th:
The following information has been obtained from a native, who stated that he has been held as a prisoner by Pedro Altamirano [Pedron] for about 15 days; he escaped on or about July 4th, near Los Cedros: That Pedro Altamirano, Pedro Irias, [Pedro Antonio Irias], Pancho Estrada [Francisco Estrada], with about 80 followers are operating together and are believed to have their camp at present near Guapinol. (Somewhere between Guapinol and the Pantasma Valley). Altamirano is "The Jefe" with Estrada as "Chief of Staff" and Irias as "Segundo Jefe" with them.
Altamirano is very sick, suffering with an infected knee, which is said to have swollen considerably and which in addition has caused him to have fever occasionally. This band has one (1) Lewis Machine Gun, two (2) Brownings, and two (2) Sub-Thompsons. That practially all members of their band have around one hundred (100) pesos (dollars); and that Altamirano has his women in his camp. There is a typewriter being used in their camp. That this outfit had ambush laid for the Marine-Volunteer patrol on July 3rd, on the trail between Los Cedros and Guali, as they thought we were coming that way. (My patrol was camped at Guali on Juy 2nd and left there on the 3rd). This man escaped from the bandits at this time. My own deductions are that: Altamirano has been appointed by Sandino or by the other Jefes as the "Leader" in Sandino's absence. That Sandino has told them that he is going to return. ...
IR29.07.27: 3-4. RG127/201/1.
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18 July 1929. Biographical Sketch of José León Díaz by Captain Stockes.
This biographical sketch of José León Díaz by Captain George F. Stockes is consistent with everything else known about him, and was doubtless produced as a result of Stockes's persistent querying of his many informants in the Somoto area. (Right: the only known photograph of José León Díaz, ca. 1930)
Several aspects of the sketch merit comment: Díaz's humble origins in El Salvador; his penchant for drink; his excellence as a field commander; and the events of 1926-27, when Díaz used the Nicaraguan Civil War as a way to leave behind his life as a common laborer. Also noteworthy is the description of how Sandinista Colonel Porfirio Sánchez recruited him in May 1927; how Diaz had a falling out with Sandino on the question of liquor; and how in August 1927 the Liberals in the Somoto district selected him to take the field against the Conservative Chamorrista gang leader Anastacio Hernández. Of the many sources that corroborate this account, the oral testimony of Pastor Ramírez Mejía (in the IES testimonies) -- which also discusses Díaz's alliance with Liberal General Camilo López Irías -- is probably the most reliable and detailed. It is refreshing to see a Marine commander so determined to understand his enemy. It was also very rare.
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INFORMATION RELATIVE TO JOSE LEON DIAZ BY CAPT. G. F. STOCKES.
Jose Leon Diaz was born at Poloros in El Salvador in the year 1883. Poloros is a village situated about eight leagues from La Union. His parents were of the Mozo class [rural working class] and Jose Leon received no education.
From reports, the Diaz family moved from Poloros to La Alianza on the Honduran-Salvador frontier. It is said Jose Leon engaged in a drunken brawl at La Alianza in 1902, killed two or three inhabitants and then fled the country.
Diaz is about five feet six inches in height; a mulatto, usually clean shaven except for a flowing mustache. Weight about 145 lbs. of strong physique and habitually drunk.
His first appearance after the incident at La Alianza was in the Honduran Army stationed at Tegucigalpa in 1924. At this time Diaz was known as Colonel "Caites" [barefoot], apparently one of the few, if not the only Colonel on duty in Tegucigalpa who never wore shoes. At some time during his period of service in the Honduran Army, Diaz learned to write his name.
In April, 1924, when Tosta and Carias gained possession of Tegucigalpa, Diaz fled to Somoto, Nicaragua. Still known as Colonel "Caites" he worked as a mozo around Somoto for a month or so, then went to Yaraje (near Santa Emilia) where he remained working for Marcelino Moncada, owner of hacienda "Yaraje" for about two years.
About August 10, 1926 Diaz applied to General C. Lopez Irias [Camilo Lopez Irias] for a commission in the Liberal Army, then being formed to take the field against the Nicaraguan Government. He raised a company in the Yaraje-Icalupe area, obtained his arms in Honduras without expense to the Liberal party and joined the forces of Irias.
It must be admitted that Diaz was one of the outstanding sub-Jefes fighting for the Liberal cause in the Somoto-Rio Negro District. A master thief, cunning, craft, his organization, was always well-equipped with arms and ammunition. Being without a machine gun on the occasion he did not hesitate to steal one from a friendly organization adjacent.
When the Liberals laid down their arms, Diaz returned to Somoto. He now appeared prosperous, was always well attired and wore boots instead of Caites. Although seldom stooping to murder, Diaz would steal from, or rob anyone.
Representing Sandino, Porfirio Sanchez visited Somoto in May 1927, and invited Jose Leon to join their forces. Diaz accepted the offer but after one month found he and Sandino could not agree on the liquor question so he returned to Somoto.
In July of the same year, he engaged in a drunken brawl in the saloon of Teodoro Fuentes in Somoto, killed one man and then left town hiding out in the Santa Emilia area.
When Anastasio Hernandez took the field in August, 1927, declaring he was going to kill every Liberal in the Somoto District, it seems Diaz was selected by the Liberals to oppose Hernandez. The appearance of Marines about this time caused both groups to make themselves scarce around Somoto.
Diaz "Caites" (about December 15, 1927) because [became] once again affiliated with Sandino, who placed him in charge of procuring arms, etc, and distributing same to Sandinistas.
In June, 1928, Diaz told a close friend he had never been in action against the Marines.
IR29.07.18: 10-11. RG127/43A/4.
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On 13 July, 1929, soon after Sandino left for Mexico, all the big Sandinista jefes (except Ortez) met in the mountains near Remango for a General Assembly. This is according to a summary of information provided by two brothers who said they spent about five weeks with the main rebel columns. The brothers reported, very plausibly, that the major leaders decided to disband for the time being -- all except Pedron, who took all of the best guns for his band and stashed the rest. The consensus decision was to lay low, filter into Honduras unobserved, accumulate money, arms, and ammunition there, and await Sandino's return.
The only major jefe not to attend the assembly was Miguel Angel Ortez -- who, as we've seen, had aspirations to be the new "big jefe" if and when Sandino was out of the picture. There were also at least a dozen local jefes who remained active but did not participate in the assembly -- including Reyes Lopez in the San Juan de Telpaneca area; Verbonico Vaquedano, Modesto Escalante, and others in the Honduran borderlands; and others.
The remark at the end about the Herrera brothers going to work on the road-building crew is also telling. By this time there were several such projects, both in Nicaragua and Honduras. Getting a job building roads not only brought in some cash; the dynamite used in road-building projects often ended up in the homemade bombs the rebels later used against the Marines & Guardia.
It is, for the rebels, resource-husbanding time.
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From, report of Captain Lewis, 20 July:
Felix Pedro Zeledon, Chief of Police of Yali, and formerly an officer of General Moncada's army, reported to me this date that two men who had been with the bandits wished to come in to Yali and give themselves up providing that they were given guarantees. Zeledon then brought in Mercedes and Jorge Herrera, two brothers, who were from Achotales (village north of Yali). These brothers were identified by several natives of Yali as to their names and former residences.
The above named men were interviewed and stated as follows:
That they were captured on or about June 4, 1929 by Ismael Peralta at Achotes, who thought they were spies of General Escamilla. After Peralta was convinced they were not spies of General Escamilla, they were issued rifles and became members of the band. One of them was furnished a con-con rifle and eighteen rounds of ammunition and the other was furnished a Springfield rifle and nine rounds of ammunition.
They remained with the bandits until the 13th of July 1929, when all the bandit jefes and their men were assembled for a conference, in the mountains, North of Remango, near the Honduras border. Jose Leon Diaz brought the orders from Sandino for the general assembly. The following Jefes and their groups were present at the conference: Jose Leon Diaz, Pedron Altamirano, Pedro Blandon, Abram Centeno, Ismael Peralta, Pedro Irias, Pancho Estrada, and Carlos Quesada.
All the above Jefes and their groups turned in their rifles and ammunition, with the exception of Pedron Altamirano and one hundred (100) men. When all the arms were turned in, Pedro Altamirano chose the best rifles and armed his one hundred men with them. They had three Thompson guns, two Browning Automatic rifles and one Lewis Automatic rifle. The rest of the arms were to be hidden in the mountains. (Herrera brothers do not know where.)
With the exception of Altamirano's band of one hundred men, all other Jefes and their men were directed to proceed to Honduras in small groups of two and three, unarmed for the purpose of procuring more arms and ammunition there and to return to Nicaragua, when directed by Sandino. They all then left the assembly place, July 13th 1929, and the two Herrera Brothers returned to the vicinity of Achotales.
The Herrera Brothers have both applied for work in this area with the Government Road gangs, now constructing the Yali-San Rafael Road. ...
IR29.07.28. RG127/209/1.
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29 January 1930. Update on Tuma (Tomás) Guatemala of Jinotega.
These documents speak to two main issues: the Guardia's constant efforts to secure reliable intelligence on the Sandinistas -- the single weakest link in the Guardia's war-making machinery -- and the efforts of people like Tuma Guatemala to negotiate the precarious middle ground between two polarized sides.
Tuma Guatemala was a survivor. A rebel, an amnestied rebel, a prisoner, a spy -- whatever else one might think of him, he was very skilled in keeping body and soul together. There's a lot here.
S E C R E T
Secret-ws
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.
Ancillary Documents
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.
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.
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