818.00/698: Telegram
The Chargé in Panama (Offutt) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received June 19, 9.10 a.m.]
Legation’s May 13, 3 p.m.,14 and May 20, 2 p.m.14 Nicaraguan Chargé d’Affaires here has just been informed by his Government that Julian Irias, former adherent of Zelaya and now adviser of Tinoco and commander of his troops, has recently left San Jose, his destination being unknown though it is thought that Tinoco is in a very bad plight and mission of Irias might be to arrange for escape of Tinoco.
Fiscal Agent Ruan reports that reliable American commercial traveler just returned from San Jose told him that Tinocos were selling out their interests in Costa Rica and that general consensus of opinion in San José was that Tinocos could not hold out much longer and would probably flee from country.
Star and Herald of today prints interview with Senor Clare, acting Costa Rican Consul General here and brother of manager of newspaper La Informacion, in which Clare blames recent uprising of schoolmasters in San Jose to Bolshevikism. Article concludes with query as to whether this is real reason for disturbance, implying that movement directed against Tinoco.
In letter to Canal Zone commissary authorities Mr. Gilmartin, their produce buyer in Costa Rica, who was in San José during the recent manifestations, says that none of American colony there consider there is any danger for Americans except the Consul, who is particular object of Government’s hatred. States that 90 per cent of the people are restless but helpless and if marines come, even solely to protect the Consulate, Tinoco government would be overthrown within 24 hours. Cartago mentioned as quiet but “jumpy “and that [omission] be an uprising there if people could get hold of 50 rifles.