701.2123/22: Telegram

The Ambassador in Peru (Dearing) to the Secretary of State

95. Leticia.

1.
My telegram No. 92, February 20, 11 a.m., paragraph 2. Save for slight trouble with some manifestants shouting too insistently for general amnesty for political prisoners, political demonstration passed without unfortunate event. Comercio estimates 100,000 participants, which is possibly an exaggeration. People seemingly took occasion as a holiday. Enthusiasm shown due chiefly to fostering by the Government and Comercio’s campaign and can be regarded as spontaneous only to a moderate degree. Nevertheless Government for the moment has a certain moral advantage and mandate making its task easier.
2.
Proper precautions having been taken in time no molestation of Colombians or this Embassy as custodian Colombian interests took place and with departure of Lozano situation is easier.
Dearing