818.00/4–1848: Telegram
The Ambassador in Costa Rica (Davis) to the Secretary of State
171. President arrived accompanied by Esquivel Minister Fomento and Quesada [Minister of] Government and Foreign Minister 2 hours late for meeting called for 10 a. m. April 18 may possibly have been engaged another meeting with Somoza representatives. At one point discussions necessary bring up Somoza telegram to Bogotá re Managua’s 96 April 17 President said old standing agreements for border transit treasury guard but even when pressed would give no definite answer whether Somoza was correct stating acted with authorization and request Tica Government.1 Left to consult military leaders. Foreign Minister, speaking privately to me, said surprised I had not brought his attention Managua’s telegram, said his department had no knowledge of arrangement had been made.… Dr. Calderon also present subsequently in closed conversation with Mora.
President returned gave us categorical denial Somoza claim and showed telegram to Bogotá and Managua latter ordering Tico Minister Managua request immediate withdrawal Nicaraguan forces. Agreement reached acquiesced in by Mora and Calderon, latter with obvious reluctance, to install Leon Herrera appoint new cabinet including Miguel Brenes, former Minister Labor, as Minister Public Security, Figueres Agriculture, Francisco Orlich Finance and a Mrs. Saenz possibly Luisa Gonzalez V de Saenz a known Communist, Education. Leaving 4 p. m. with Panamanian Ambassador to accompany Nuñez [Page 519] to Cartago returning with Figueres answer tonight. Conditions re time of installing new government not yet known. Truce extended and to be broadcast.
- The meeting included the diplomatic commission and representatives of interested Costa Rican parties: President Picado, Third Designate Santos Leon Herrera, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Bonilla Lara, Secretary of Gobernacion Maximo Quesada, Secretary of Fomento Francisco Esquivel, Dr. Calderon Guardia, Lic. Manuel Mora, Father Nuñez, and the five Chiefs of Mission, according to despatch 185, April 21 from Costa Rica, not printed, in which Ambassador Davis reported as follows: “I said that some four hours previously I had received a telegram from our Chargé in Managua which contained information of such a nature and of such gravity that we felt all parties interested in the negotiations for a settlement of Costa Rica’s internal strife should know of it and that they should receive the information simultaneously. I then asked the Mexican Ambassador to read that portion of Mr. Bernbaum’s telegram consisting of verbatim quotation of General Somoza’s note.… After a pause during which all present maintained a dead silence, I stated that all present would appreciate that this information changed completely the complexion of the local problem. As representatives of the Diplomatic Corps we had been trying to find a basis for internal peace in Costa Rica; now, as representatives of members of the Pan American family we were confronted with the problem of maintaining the peace in America. All of the American Republics would take a most serious view of the invasion of one American country by another. Without even having time to consult our governments we could state with certainty that none of the American governments would permit such a breach of peace and that they would know how to punish those responsible for it.” (818.00/4–2148)↩