DECLASSIFIED Authority Statele Her Inhz ML ART Cate 24981.
to Mr. Chittend en. The United States Government recognizes the responsibility of other peoples and their rights to have a form of government of their own choosing.
This policy, am quite sure, has been made exceedingly clear under President Roosevelt.
Then Mr. Chittenden asked me if were not concerned as to whether or not the strike movement might not result in the establishment of a Communist Government in this country. replied that the form of Government chosen by the Costa Rican people was, in so far as was concerned, a matter wholly within their own province and not one for interference in and from me in any way. added that personally and officially my views were in strict accordance with the views of the State Department and of President Roosevelt. Then Mr. Chittend en put out this feeler. Don you think that if a Communist Government would be established in Costa Rica that it would be very dangerous for President Ubico in Guatemala, who has succeeded here tofore in stamping out Communism in that country before it could get a start; for President Martínez in El Salvador who stopped Communism at a loss of 3, 000 lives; for President Carías in Honduras and for old man Sacasa in Nicaragua? Do you think it is possible to get word to them through your American Ministers in those countries and from you to their representatives (of other Central American countries) in San José to point out to them the grave danger which exists here and which would affect them if carried to its present conclusion in order that they might bring pressure upon President