Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-12
SILENT ON CHARGE
OF D|Az PRESSURE
Grew Says He Knows Moth
ing of Paper Said to Have
Been Sent Dennis.

State Department officials today pro-
fessed to have no knowledge of an al
legged confidential document said to
have been sent by Secretary Kellogg
to Lawrence Dennis. charge daffaires
in Nicaragua, which has been made
the basis of charges that the State
Department sought to use pressure in
securing the election of Adolpho Diaz
as president of Nicaragua.
Without denying the existence of
the document or calling it forgery"
as claimed by some friends Of the AID.
ministration, Joseph G.. Grew, acting
Secretary of State, took refuge in the
statement that he knew nothing at
all about it,"
On Way to America.
Mr.. Dennis. who is reported to be
en- route to the United States, is ex-
pected to report to the State Depart.
ment in Washington soon. In the
meanwhile, officials are carefully
avoiding any statement that might
bring them directly in conflict with
the maze of rumors and counter.
rumors circulating as result of the
Dennis imbroglio.
At the same time, the department
has felt it cannot ignore entirely
charges that unusual pressure and
means were resorted to in bringing
about the election OF Diaz. 1t is under.
stood that MIR. Dennis, who resigned
recently because of alleged favoritism
shown Weather and more influential
men in the foreign service. has been
persuaded to withdraw his resigna-
ton.
Critics of the State Department at
tach significance to the fact that Mr.
Dennis resignation has not been ac-
cepted in view of charges now being
aired that he has in his possession
documents of highly confidential
nature, which would prove en-
barrassing to the department If given
publicity.
No Recollection" Says Grew.
Acting Secretary Grew did not deny
today that instructions" concerning
the recognition of Diaz had been sent
to the American legation in Nicaragua
after the collapse of the Corinto con.
ference last September and October,
in which Dennis acted as American
mediator. Regarding such Instructions,
MIR. Grew simply said he had mo
recollection"
ment tends to the belief that where
there Is so much smoke there must
be some fire. Despite the efforts of
some persons close to the administra-
ton to brand the purported docu-
ment TO Kellogg as a Mexican
forgery" spirited by some way or
other into the carefully sealed diplo.
matte pouch that reached the Anieri.
can legation, no such declaration was
made officially at the State Depart
ment.
State Department officials, for rea-
sons OF their own, are content to let
the charge of undue influence in the
election Of Diaz be aired publicly,
without either denial or confirmation.
1t was understood that upon Dennis
arrival here the department would
have something definite to say about
the whole matter.
Alleged Proof Cited.
Those who believe in the authen.
ITCHY of the document said to be In
the safe of the American legation
claim that cablegram sent to Arthur
II. Geissier, American Minister to
Guatemala. bears out the charge. In
that message, the State Department
Is said to have instructed the envoy
TO obtain recognition of President
Diaz by the Guatemalan government.
1t further is said to have stressed the
point that unless such recognition was
forthcoming, the United States might
possibly see fit to withdraw it's own
recognition of President Chacon.
The criticism of the functioning of
the State Department, made by Den
mis-, also will be matters which the
State Department expects to thresh
out on the arrival of the attache.
There is undoubtedly feeling of dis
satisfaction among many members of
the foreign service over acts of al
legged favoritism in the assignments
of officers.
This feeling of dissatisfaction is not
confined to the State Department, but
Is manifest in the attitude of the per-
manent staff In Washington.
Blame Is Placed.
A dozen or more officials have been
forced to resign In the last year to
accept more lucrative positions outside
the Government service. These are
frank to say that the fault is not with
the State Department, but with the
reclassification act under which
salaries and promotions are regulated.
Until Congress sees fit to reopen the
whole question and classify the posi-
ton, instead of the man, ii is felt that
these alleged EMBELLISHMENTS will
result in wholesale designations. The
suggestion has been made that the
situation could be remedied by Con-
gress putting the Washington and
field staff In one organization. as in
the Army and Navy, instead of classi.