File No. 818.00/166a
The Secretary of State to Chargé Johnson
Washington, June 9, 1917—3 p.m.
You will ask for an unofficial interview with General Tinoco, and having obtained it, recall to General Tinoco his interview with Minister Hale of February 12, 1917, when General Tinoco was informed that no Government set up by him would be recognized by the United States. You will express surprise that an opinion seems to be prevalent in some quarters in Costa Rica, and indeed apparently shared by General Tinoco himself, that the United States is considering a modification of its position as then expressed, and you will state that by the express direction of the President of the United States you are instructed to reaffirm his previously expressed determination not to recognize General Tinoco as President of Costa Rica.
Having made clear to General Tinoco the finality of this decision of the President of the United States, you will communicate to General Tinoco the following:
The Government of the United States is impressed with the fact that economic and financial difficulties with which Costa Rica is now beset render it of the greatest importance that there be promptly established a Government which, internally, will command that popular confidence which can only be inspired and retained by rulers of known regard for law and order, and which, externally, will receive generally the recognition of foreign nations. The United States [Page 327] cannot believe that General Tinoco will permit a conception of his personal interests and ambitions to defer the establishment of such a Government, and thus render far more acute and distressing the problems which are already embarrassing the people of Costa Rica. If this confidence of the Government of the United States is not misplaced and if it is the intention of General Tinoco to retire in the immediate future in favor of an independent successor, to be selected in a law-abiding manner, the Government of the United States will hope to see such transfer of power accomplished in an orderly manner.
Following your interview with General Tinoco, you may discreetly convey a knowledge of the attitude of the United States, as above expressed, to any person or persons in Costa Rica whose confidence you have and who, in your opinion, if in possession of such knowledge, could and would exert influence on General Tinoco in favor of his voluntary withdrawal.