818.00/606: Telegram
The Consul at San José (Chase) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received May 10, 3.04 a.m.]
Strictly confidential. Referring to my cable of May 6, 6 p.m. Owing to the dangerous type of men in control of things here and the frequent threats against American citizens by the followers of Tinoco, the last being the statement of Franklin Jimenez to an ex-Congressman that order had been sent to Limon and Punta Arenas that if American warships appeared at the port American citizens were to be assassinated, some Americans are very nervous; Franklin Jimenez is a deputy and related to Tinoco. Respectfully requested that prompt and adequate measures be immediately taken for the [Page 815] protection of American lives and property in Costa Rica. Threats here [have?] also been made to shoot brothers of Julio Acosta and other political prisoners. A Chinese citizen has just telephoned that his property has been taken and three Chinamen put in jail and asked protection. The state of affairs is serious. Fifty Nicaraguan Liberals followers of Julian Irias came by special train last night under command of Manuel Arroliga with [since] insurrection of 1912 in Nicaragua and now with the army. Wireless telegraph station at Limon is likely to be taken by Tinoco at any moment and all means of communication cut off.