818.00/634: Telegram
The Consul at San José ( Chase ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received May 24, 4.35 p.m.]
Confirming my May 20th, 3 p.m. Situation of affairs becoming more serious. Foreigners and business men express fear of their properties being destroyed unless the United States intercede. The people of the poorer class are being impressed into the army and their families are going without food. Well informed men state that Costa Rica is rapidly approaching famine conditions. A majority of all the foreign colonies and a majority of the prominent natives would not misconstrue but would welcome the presence of our war vessels at each port and soldiers in San José. The almost [Page 821] universal cry is for the United States to step in and prevent the complete destruction of this country and the slaughter of innocent people. Ricardo Fernandez Guardia was arrested but escaped. Police are besieging Pio Bolanos, Nicaraguan, and representative of American manufacturers and whose son is a citizen of the United States. Both of these men suffer for giving me information of value and in my opinion full protection should be extended. One of the officials of the usurper has stated that he was told by him that “while I am President of the Republic Pio Bolanos is not going to have any liberty.” A political prisoner released says that the room adjoining where he was confined with others is a storage room for gasoline, powder, dynamite, and bombs. It is a common boast that barracks now mined. Owing to lack of information regarding invasion people feel that Tinoco is doomed. Consular agent at Punta Arenas just advised that owing to defeats reported Tinoco intends concentrating there. Consular agent asks for naval assistance in some form.