REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. DECLASSIFIED Althority Stateletten Tahz ey ME, NARI Da: 2418 14 inherently reactionary, opposed to political changes and innovations, and personal differences and feuds among its component parts may very well be composed and patched up under threats from class movements such as Communism.
Some observers have interpreted the remark made by President Jiménez at the official banquet tendered President López of Colombia on his recent visit to San José (See Despatch No. 364 of August 2, 1934) as an official endorsement of his Minister of Public Works, León Cortés, as his successor in the presidency. Even if, as many believe, such a deduotion is erroneous as being something that Ricardo Jiménez would not do under any circumstances, it is significant that there have been reports from persons close to the President that he has grown much fonder of Señor Cortés during the past year, and that the latter may possibly have his blessing to succeed him. The blessing will probably not amount to more than moral influence, since Don Ricardo has too rigid a conception of his duties and obligations as Chief Executive to endeavor to use the resources at his command to throw the election to a candidate of his own choice. Even so, the candidate with Don Ricardo moral weight behind him will be considerably aided.
In the event that Señor Cortés should definitely become Don Ricardo candidate, there is no assurance, however, that the country at large