818.00/703: Telegram
The Consul at San José (Chase) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received June 20, 9 a.m.]
Confirming June 17, 5 p.m.13 A vast majority of the people want immediate American intervention as no adjustment which longer retains Tinoco in power will appease them. The United States refusal to recognize Tinoco has resulted in trust in our Government and not in the Latin Americans who have recognized him. Latter diplomatic representatives in Costa Rica, seeing that nothing else will be acceptable to the people, are reported to have asked him to resign. If their attempts do not succeed soon there is likely to be an uprising with serious consequences. Tinoco’s refusal of resignation, in spite of emphatic popular demand, leaves the people no other recourse than intervention or slavery. The tense calm now is only caused by the hope that these proposals will end in his prompt abdication. If they do not accomplish the purpose and our Government does not act promptly American life and property will be again in great danger. Americans well acquainted with the situation state that the attitude of the United States, by non-recognition, has engendered enmity of Tinoco and gratitude of the people but by the alleged prohibition against the opposition obtaining arms to dispossess the usurpers we will if this is true lose the confidence of and engender the enmity of the masses. The people are helpless and without arms and ammunition but they are willing to sacrifice themselves to obtain a government that will insure their rights and liberties as they have proved. The presence of our war vessels at Limon has been and is indispensable in saving life and property pending change in the government.
- Not printed.↩