were made. The usual type of anti capitalist banners were carried in the procession.
According to newspaper accounts, the principal subjects occupying the attention of the Communist orators were: The iniquitous activities of the United Fruit Company. The fall in the exchange value of the colón; The Inter American Highway, which was sriticized as another tool of Yankee inperialism to oppress the Costa Rican worker; The high price of gasoline, which has recently been increased by ten céntimos per gallon.
Police surveillance of the meeting was exercised, but without any attempt to restrict the freedom of action of the demonstrators except to prevent the display of some of the more objectionable banners.
This policy of the Costa Rican Government with regard to the Communist Party is considered to be a wise one. As General Monge, head of the Ministry of Public Safety, said to me: Costa Ricans know our own people.
Our policy is to give them plenty of rope, and when they overstep the bounds, pull then up short.
Respectfully yours, 800.
GERALD DREW Chargé Affaires a.
CAD B2 B3