862.85/2038: Telegram
The Chargé in Costa Rica (Dwyre) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14—1:15 a.m.]
95. In an interview with the President of Costa Rica this evening I brought the matter contained in the Department’s telegram No. 68, May 13, 7 p.m. to his attention and urged that he take this opportunity to discharge the Costa Rican Government’s responsibility in the premises.
The President requests that he be given the assurance of the Department that the seamen will be permitted to be embarked in the Canal Zone for Japan since the men are [under?] the jurisdiction of the Costa Rican Courts and he must give this assurance to the court before he can issue a decree of expulsion and repatriation. With the Department’s pledge that these seamen will be permitted to proceed to Japan when a Japanese boat is available the President will, I am sure, carry out the plan outlined in the telegram referred to above.
I feel that the Costa Rican Government has compromised itself with the German Minister not to turn over these men to the United States authorities for concentration and has promised that they will be deported to Japan (see my despatch No. 3143 of May 2nd, 194113).
I shall see the President at 10 a.m., May 14, and should like to give him the Department’s reply at that time. Urgently request telegraphic reply is therefore requested.
- Not printed.↩