REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Wohz Jayme, HARI 0212 24181 total number of yotes cast was 88, 320, of which numberory the National Republican party received, 55, 309, they to Communists 10, 359 and, the National Independent party, sponsored by former President Jiménez, 4, 222. Former President Julio Acosta, backed by the National Independent partý, was successful. R The total vote cast in the 1936 elections was 89, 033, of which number President León Cortés received 52, 801. However, the total count is not as yet completed and it is probable that under the new compulsory voting system now in vogue in Costa Rica that the total will exceed that of 1936.
The outstanding gains made by the Communist party in the February election have been made the subject of considerable comment, both by Costa Ricans and the members of the diplomatic corps. In 1936 this party polled 4, 572 votes, while in 1938 it polled 10, 359, an increase of more than one hundrod percent. It is only fair to point out in the face of thexe figures that the Communist gain is more apparent than real. The electors regarded the Communist ticket as representing the outstanding party of protest and therefore one in which all shades of liberal thought might properly join with the more radical communists in a vote of protest against the present regime.
From information which has been obtained am certain that hundreds of voters who are wholly out of sympathy with the communist aims and ideals voted such ticket only because no other liberal candidates were nominated by the two conservative parties.
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