Office of the Historian

818.00/604: Telegram

The Consul at San José (Chase) to the Acting Secretary of State

San José, May 6, 1919, 6 p.m.
[Received May 8, 8.45 a.m.]

Tinoco continues to impress recruits and imprison others. Hundreds of recruits of all ages taken last night. Business stagnant, condition of affairs becoming very serious. One of the prominent American citizens, Walter Field, reports that arrest of Americans threatened if interrupted [sic] and asks that notice be given by our Government to forestall such reported suspension of the constitutional guarantees by Congress today. Telegraph office closed to all but Tinoco messages.

Chase