818.00/1331: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Costa Rica (Eberhardt)
11. Your 15, February 16 [17], 10 a.m., last sentence. Inasmuch as your reports indicate that there does not appear to be any serious danger to American or foreign lives which the local authorities are not competent to deal with adequately, the Department feels, in the light of information now before it, that the situation does not warrant the despatch of war vessels to Costa Rican ports. You of course appreciate that it would be inconsistent with the Department’s policy to send warships to Costa Rica merely for the effect which the presence of such vessels might have on the local situation.
For your confidential information. The Memphis and one destroyer are now at Balboa and another destroyer will be moved from Balboa to Colon to stand by there. Please continue to keep the Department fully informed of all developments.
Reference your 16, February 17, 9 p.m., last paragraph. You will of course insist that members of the Legation staff refrain from taking any unnecessary risks.