810.154/1260
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Costa Rica (Hornibrook)
Sir: Copies of your telegraphic despatch no. 73, dated November 22, 10 a.m.,32 regarding the contemplated cooperative construction [Page 197] of the Cartago to San Marcos section of the Inter-American Highway, were forwarded on December 3, 1937, to the Secretary of Agriculture for the information of the Bureau of Public Roads. Referring to your understanding that the two notes, copies of which were enclosed with the two despatches cited in your telegram, read together constituted the definitive announcement of the Costa Rican Government that it desired to proceed with the proposed road construction along the lines indicated, the Secretary of Agriculture was informed that, provided he concurred, the Department of State was satisfied that the necessary formalities had been complied with; and he was told that on receipt of an indication that his Department concurred in the understanding together with a statement that the cooperative work on this section of the highway might proceed without further delay, your Legation would be informed.
In a letter dated December 16, 1937,33 the Acting Secretary of Agriculture replied that his Department was entirely in agreement with the Department of State in accepting your judgment that the necessary formalities had been complied with by the Costa Rican Government. He also said that the Bureau’s engineers in Costa Rica would “be instructed to proceed with the work forthwith”. This Department is informed that instructions of this nature were sent to the Bureau’s representatives at San José by telegram some time ago.
Very truly yours,