18711220 WIN Tinka REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUISS77030 DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS August ll, 1943 İMERICA A Mr. Bonsal: San José, Costa Rica July 31, 1943. vities Tending to Srder.
Political Developments in Costa Rica RA Herewith a report from San José regarding political developments. Teodoro Picado intimated in a speech that to prevent the Fifth Column from assuming power the people will be given arms.
This is naturally being interpreted as meaning that the Picadistas and notably the adherents of Manuel Mora will be given arms to prevent a Cortes victory. The attack on the Titania radio station and this inflammatory speech by Picado have been severely criticized by the opposition.
It seems reasonably clear the the attack on the radio station, in spite of denials, was engineered by Picado henchmen. Fear is expressed that the pro Cortes Diario de Costa Rica may be similarly wrecked, thereby silencing the Cortes faction.
Sul. 001228 54 of July 29, p. lipping from LA TRIBUNA text of an address the PARTIDO REPUBLICANO al theatre. This adtations.
ado closed his speech ifth column from essary to empty the ple may take up arms 23, then let that be to die with arms in 818. 0n 1787 c) PS M8 RA. Cabot:1IJF. This statement would appear to lend some weight to a rumor previously circulated in San José to the effect that the Government contemplates arming the followers of Deputy Manuel MORA, leader of the Vanguardia Popular Party (see my despatch No. 127 of June 17, 1943. It has likewise increased fears of the Cortés faction that the administration would even be inclined to resort to violence to find a way to prevent Leon Cortés from being elected in the elections of February 6, 1944. Local merchants have also expressed the fear that these elements may take advantage of the situation to engage in looting.
The wrecking of the radio broadcasting station TITANIA by a group of armed men, also reported in my above mentioned telegram, has resulted in much criticism in the anti administration news paper DIARIO DE COSTA RICA of the tactics of the so called official candidate the Picado party members. The pro administration news, or LA TRIBUNA conned an unbiased report of the incident, a statement of Teodoro PICADO denying that he or his party were responsible for the attack on the station, and a statement of the OXecutive committee of the Partido Republicano Nacional, copies of which are enclosed. 3 DIARIO