718.1915/577: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Costa Rica (Thurston)
40. Your September 1, 10 a.m.22
You may advise the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the Department has been informed by the American Minister in Panama that the authorities of Panama in the Coto area left that district with their insignia and archives several days ago, the Corregidor returning for the apparent purpose of removing his personal belongings, In view of these facts, and in view of the further fact that the Department is advised that the total number of inhabitants of Coto is less than 70, the Department believes it highly improbable that the Costa Rican forces sent to Coto will encounter opposition of any character. Orders have therefore been sent to the Commander of the war vessel which it was intended should proceed to some point on the Pacific Coast near Coto, to insure the orderly transfer of jurisdiction had there been any evidence of an intention on the part of Panama to resist, by forcible measures, such transfer, to remain at Balboa. The vessel will not proceed as originally planned unless the Costa Rican forces encounter resistance upon their arrival in Coto.
- Not printed.↩