714.18/22
The Minister in Costa Rica ( Sack ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12.]
Sir: In continuation of my Despatch No. 527 of December 4, 1934,1 and in specific reference to my previous despatches and the despatches of the American Minister in Guatemala, Mr. Hanna, on the subject of the existing strained relations between the Governments of Costa Rica and Guatemala, I have the honor to forward herewith, for the information of the Secretary, a copy and translation of a personal and confidential letter received by me on yesterday afternoon from President Ricardo Jiménez of the Republic of Costa Rica.1
Mr. Jiménez requests me to convey to the American Minister in Guatemala the contents of his letter which sets forth his viewpoint and the viewpoint of his Government with reference to General Ubico’s belief that Costa Rica entertains hostile sentiments toward him and for his Government.
For the most part, the points made by President Jiménez concerning the attitude of this Government have been covered in previous despatches from this Legation. President Jiménez, however, shows his very deep concern in the matter by writing me at such length in a personal capacity. In his letter, he says:—
“My Government has not the slightest motive to embarrass General Ubico”.
This, Mr. Secretary, I believe is a true statement.
In concluding his letter, President Jiménez tells me:—
… “I desire that you, Mr. Minister, as well as Mr. Hanna, should realize that the attitude of my Government toward the Government of Guatemala has been absolutely proper, and that the good relations which should exist between Costa Rica and Guatemala will never be altered through my fault. There can be on my part neither interest nor the slightest desire for them to be changed. I understand that [Page 231] General Ubico receives the opinions of Mr. Hanna with all confidence and sympathy, and if Mr. Hanna should have an opportunity to dissipate in Mr. Ubico’s mind the preoccupations with regard to my Government which are absolutely unfounded, it would greatly contribute to the disappearance in Guatemala of any idea that the Government of Costa Rica entertains hostile or unfriendly sentiments with regard to that Government”.
I am attaching herewith an additional copy of the President’s letter for transmission to Mr. Hanna if the Department so approves, or if the Department prefers and in accordance with recent suggestions of Mr. Hanna which received my approval in my Despatch No. 527 of December 4, 1934, I stand ready at the Department’s orders to proceed to Guatemala for personal and confidential discussions with Mr. Hanna, carrying with me, obviously, a copy of the President’s letter.
I shall be grateful if the Department advises me by telegraph whether it is forwarding a copy of the President’s letter to Mr. Hanna in the next pouch, or whether the Department would prefer for me to go personally to Guatemala at the first opportunity.
Respectfully yours,