REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 1: DECLASSIFED Athority Stateletter Inhz eyme NARI Date 2458 I had determined that if the elections went against me would retire. In a country like Costa Rica, it is necessary for the President to have the good will of the people at all timest.
This attitude, somewhat strange in contrast with the attitude of executives in other countries where the voters had indicated their impatience with the ruling power, is a further manifestation of the philosophical attitude of Costa Rica three time President who celebrated his 75th birthday a few days ago.
The Department may recall that Don Ricardo, in a newspaper interview several months ago, said that if and when the people of Costa Rica tired of his administration he was ready to retire. From the best information obtainable, there is no question but that he meant what he said.
But as a result of the vindication he received last Sunday, he is today obviously happy and delighted and determined to carry on to the best of his ability, confident that the majority sentiment of the country once again approves his official conduct.
Indicative of the lack of interest on the part of voters is the fact that only 47, 000 votes were cast in the entire Republic, as compared with more than 75, 000 votes cast in the Presidential Congressional elections of February 14, 1932.
Whereas approximately 35, 000 votes were cast for President Jiménez in the elections of 1932, the total vote for the Administration candidates in the elections of February 11, 1934 was only about 21, 500.
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