REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES. DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Inher by me, WARA 02:0 24981 LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICANO San José, Costa Rica 1135931 No. 02 San José, Costa Rica September 2, 1943 G a y Subject: Recent Political Developments: Political Demonstrations staged by the Vanguardia Popular Party in Support of President Calderón Guardia and his Labor Legislation, and probable reasons for it.
resident, PM RECEIVED DEPARTMENT OF 7415 ISION OF MUNICATIONS BRECORDS ISTRICTS CONFIDENTIAL. 2000.
SEP LU LA.
1110 SNT OF STATE 716. 00 The Honorable.
SEROM TOLATGAL AN SER AN POLITICAL ve The Secretary of State, Mit DUNGANO e. Washington, SEP 6 1943 Sir: Obe have the honor to report that the present politice vacation continues unusually calm on the surface. Practically the only developments have been a polemic between Otilio Ulate of the Diario de Costa Rica and the President, sporadic attacks on the highway officials for alleged political meddling (see my telegram No. 596 of August 24, 1943, p. and two speeches by the President to labor groups in Limon and Alajuela. The se speeches of the President were reported to be for the purpose of demonstrating to his political opponents the enthusiastic unity of the laboring classes of Costa Rica for his administration and in particular his labor legislation. By this means, according to well informed individuals, the President undoubtedly hopes to restore his prestige among the people. As explained below, he also has an eye on the possible reaction of the United States Government. He has been deeply hurt by the charges made by his opponents that he is now without popular support, alone and deserted.
818. 00 1812d The President anxious desire that some third term candidate be put forward or that the elections be put off until after the war appear to be linked very closely with his outspoken determination to prevent Leon Cortés from being the next President. Friends close to the President have reported to the Embassy that the chief object behind the manoeuvering of President Calderón Guardia is to make certain that either he himself will be the next occupant of the Presidency, or that his successor will be someone he can control (such as the Ambassador in Washington. etapie Ofice of the Chief Clerk PH07OGRAPHIC SECTION SEP 71943 With this in mind he has begun his political campaign with his speeches in Limon and Alajuela on August 22 and 29. third speech Con is scheduled for Puntarenas this coming Sunday, September Bolstered by the effect of hearing large groups of laborers cheerAng him and his labor and social legislation, he then hopes to go Department of State PS MEL DIVISION o DEPARTMENT OF STATE