File No. 818.00/141
Chargé Johnson to the Secretary of State
San José , April 30, 1917, noon .
Respectable advocates recognition much disturbed and discouraged over rejection of provision for senate by constitutional convention regarded as very important reform. They fear rejection of other essential checks in project of constitution prepared by ex-Presidents, and doubt reconsideration, as changes advocated by Tinoco himself.
These all look towards facilitating a dictatorship. However, they have of their own initiative told him he would lose support of ex-Presidents if changes in their plan permitted, so not final. Other objections they have are: first, ex-Presidents not made members of constitutional convention; second, personnel wholly chosen by Tinoco and very poor; third, same men automatically become Congress; fourth, convention immediately appointed designates for full terms, first being brother of Tinoco instead of providing for Vice President to be elected by the people in advance of adoption of constitution.