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The Minister in Costa Rica ( Eberhardt ) to the Secretary of State

34. Conditions in Costa Rica becoming increasingly tense in anticipation of convocation new Congress May 1st to select new Chief of State. Spirit of violence in air and plans set to attempt kidnapping several deputies who will vote for Ricardo Jiménez for President, also increasing open threats of assassination Ricardo Jiménez. Consequently, followers Ricardo Jiménez have established organization to forestall above actions but young men both sides are carrying arms and period of disorganization possible unless drastic statement made through American press to influence opponents of Ricardo Jiménez to behave in an orderly manner. Disorders, even if not as accentuated as those of February last, will plunge Costa Rica into financial [Page 531] chaos and establish precedent of constantly recurring election disorders which have heretofore been so troublesome in other Central American States. Present Costa Rican Government obviously incapable of energetic action as proved last February and by two recent bombings in San José.

Eberhardt