File-No. 818.00/356
The Consul at San José ( Chase ) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honor to report as to the revolutionary movement in Costa Rica of the last few days that all information received was promptly transmitted to Mr. Stewart Johnson, our Chargé, so that, at this time, no attempt is made to give a detailed account.
The facts seem to warrant the statement that a reign of brutality and loot prevails in Costa Rica, possibly equal to that of Cuba before 1898; that men are put into soldiers’ uniforms and armed who, for public security, should be in prison and, with the authority thus conferred, they commit grievous crimes against unoffending citizens. The rural guards are under the command of Col. Samuel Santos, a Nicaraguan follower of Doctor Irias, bitterly anti-American and pro-German, and he has recruited many Nicaraguans who have no interest in the welfare either of the citizens or of the country. They have committed excesses which should not be tolerated anywhere. They are a constant menace to all residents here. No case is reported of an officer receiving even a reprimand for his actions, however cruel, illegal, and unjust. The people are becoming fearful on account of these brutalities. It is not an exaggeration to say that 90 per cent of the natives who think would like a chance to express their desire for some form of intervention to stop this.
[Page 246]The forces in control have practically all of the arms. If those opposed had had half the arms and munitions of men in charge of the Government forces, the matter would have been settled by the people before now.
Law-abiding citizens who have no other desire than to be free to attend to their daily work and to be allowed their customary freedom are taken to prison and held there without warrant and some sadly beaten. This was going on for some time before February 23. It still continues. The liberty of the citizen is being taken from him and he is helpless because he does not have the implements for successful resistance.
The story that this movement for redress of unbearable wrongs, temporarily suppressed, was a plot of our enemies—the Germans and their allies—does not seem to have any foundation in fact, even though men who desire to retain favor with those in control have given it publicity, and others through ignorance may have spread it. The movement came from an earnest desire of the people to free themselves from that which is becoming impossible for them and for their county. The Costa Ricans are generally a quiet, orderly people who would not meddle in such affairs were it not necessary for their own salvation. They need practical help or a repetition of the horrors of Europe may soon be noted here.
I have [etc.]