818.00/537: Telegram
The Consul at San José ( Chase ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received January 27, 10.20 p.m.]
Reliably informed that Federico Tinoco informed Congressman at the Palace after short session of Congress Thursday the cause of present situation was due to information received that the Costa Ricans in Nicaragua were preparing invasion aided by Nicaragua and Honduras; also that arms and ammunition were furnished by Nicaragua and 100 men from Honduras admitted to Nicaragua to aid invasion. He added that he had cabled Mission in the United States to inform William Jennings Bryan of it so that he could present situation of Costa Rica to the Department as Nicaragua was aiding intended invasion, this [thus?] disturbing the peace of Central America, especially of Costa Rica; and that he has cabled Costa Rican Minister in Paris to present the situation to the Peace Conference and ask them to request information of the United States as to whether the United States was helping Nicaragua in this matter. Tinoco said that he would await their answer and would not demobilize army until the affair with Nicaragua was ended once for all, and that he was prepared to go to war with Nicaragua if necessary. Congress adjourned until next Wednesday. Reported that Tinocos have two 75-millimeter and one automatic gun brought from Chile.