818.00/4–148
The Ambassador in Costa Rica (Davis) to the Secretary of State
No. 152
Sir:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In view of the very obvious deterioration of Costa Rica’s traditional democratic mode of life and the effect which this is bound to have on the future, it is believed appropriate to point out certain evident trends.…
[Here follow remarks on the National Republican-Vanguardia Alliance and the Opposition.]
Trends with respect to the United States
As has so often been the case in the past, the attitude of the United States in connection with the present conflict is being condemned for a number of reasons.
In government circles, the United States is condemned for not having [Page 504] permitted, in the past, the exportation of a greater number of firearms to Costa Rica. There also exists a latent feeling that Uncle Sam might have been more generous in helping the government out of the financial quagmire in which it has found itself during the past several years.
There is a group of people on both sides who feel that a statement or two, made at the appropriate time and dropped into the proper ears might have prevented not only the present political deadlock but also the civil war and bloodshed. It is surprising to note how many otherwise perfectly sound citizens simply cannot believe or understand that the United States is bound to a policy of scrupulous impartiality. That we are carefully avoiding any act, deed or expression which might possibly be interpreted as interference in the internal affairs of another nation. By this group we are condemned for our failure to come to the rescue in a situation which Costa Ricans themselves have not been able to solve.
Many people within the Opposition hold the United States primarily responsible for the current situation with the allegation that we armed the government through our lend-lease arms. This obviously is a case of crass ignorance concerning the quantity of lend-lease arms originally furnished Costa Rica, which is so small that it could not have affected the situation either one way or the other. These people are so set in their belief that the very words lend-lease are regarded as a curse which has befallen the country and for which the United States is being blamed consistently.
Respectfully yours,
American Vice Consul