Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Western Hemisphere, Volume IX

818.00/4–1348

Memorandum of Telephone Conversations, by the Chief of the Division of Central America and Panama Affairs (Newbegin)

secret

[Washington,] April 13, 1948.

I called Ambassador Gutiérrez at 1:40 with reference to his conversation with Under Secretary Lovett this morning. Ambassador Gutiérrez was informed that a search of the Department’s files failed to reveal any single instance in which this Government had specifically requested any other American Government to refrain from supplying arms to the Costa Rican Government. He was informed again that the only incidents which we had taken up directly were the alleged Guatemalan aid to the Opposition and Somoza’s proposal to send a thousand troops into Costa Rica. Mention was also made again of our approach to the other American Governments with a view to preventing intervention in the Costa Rican situation. It was emphasized that this was quite distinct from asking other governments to refrain from sending any supplies to the Costa Rican Government when such supplies were requested by the latter.

Inquiry was made of the Ambassador as to the facts in the Mexican case to which he had previously referred.¹ He stated that he had received this information from the President and that the latter “supposed” that the action of the Mexican authorities in cancelling the shipment was due to the United States position.

The Ambassador said that he had considered the matter of a protest to the United Nations again and that he was in accord with Mr. Lovett and me that such a protest might have detrimental results. He was, accordingly, going to recommend to Fournier with whom he expected to speak shortly that any protest be postponed for the time being.

I called Ambassador Gutiérrez again shortly before two o’clock to inform him of the contents of San José’s telegram No. 144² which had just been received. I pointed out particularly that Figueres and the Government had agreed upon a cease-fire order to be effective as of 5:00 a. m. today, and that an arrangement had been made for emissaries of the Diplomatic Corps to meet Figueres.

The Ambassador was also informed that San José was quiet as of 10:00 p. m. last night. He expressed his pleasure at this news.

RN

Note: It was apparent that the Ambassador had not yet spoken with Fournier. The information conveyed to him may, therefore, strengthen his hand in suggesting postponement of the protest to the Security Council.

1. In Bogdel 105, April 14, 6 p. m. to the Director, Office of American Republic Affairs (Daniels) at the Bogotá Conference, Acting Secretary Lovett stated in part: “Embassy San José reported on Mar 29 and repeated to Embassy Mexico a rumor of shipment of arms fr Mexico to Picado Govt without permission Mexican Govt and this info was given informally by Amb Thurston on March 30 to Mexican Govt as routine cooperation without any indication of action Mexican Govt might wish to take.”
2. Not printed.