File No. 818.00/67
Minister Hale to the Secretary of State
San José, January 31, 1917, 5 p.m.
González wishes to go to the United States to engage in [apparent omission]. It is probable that Tinoco will offer Ganzález safe conduct to Limon in a train subject to my orders there to deliver him to an American warship to transport him to Colon. I advise that this be accepted as it will clear the situation for the work of reaching a legalization of the de facto Government by elections, et cetera.
González is recognized as honest and well-intentioned and Tinoco as an accomplished but unscrupulous man. González’ excellent land and income tax measures excited the hostility of the powerful privileged [Page 305] classes while the tradespeople prefer the perfect peace which Tinoco’s genius has provided to further trouble.