REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Aghority Stateletter Pahz zyme NARA Oate 2411 MBASSY ELCATION OF THE RECUNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF STATE No. 89 MM PECHT. 10. 34 November 20, 1943.
IN Subjectiu Transmitting Memorandum of Conversation AND WIth the Arehbishop of Costa Rica on: MP Be ste 1) The European Situation.
2) Internal Political situation Da ba in Costa Rica.
For Distribution: mabution: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL 18. OD The Honorable. the. Seoretary of State SOSYS 100 1949 Washington DC. SURAT Sir: 618 MO. OLE 18 ha With reference to the Embassy de patoh no. 463 of August 23, 1943, have the honor to transmit borowith a memorandum summarizing a conversation which Mr.
True blood had yesterday with the Archbishop of Costa Rica, Monseñor Victor Manuel Sanabria. As the Embassy has previously reported, the Archbishop has recently been under considerable attack, especially since the conclusion of the Picado Mora pact last September. The conservative element hore is inclined to regard the Archbishop political adventures as both unfortunate and inappropriate.
2061 From the conversation under reference it appears as though the Archbishop is endeavoring to stoor a noutra course, even though ho is undoubtedly personally wattracted to President Calderón Guardia, and is deeply interested himself in the orderly, social improvement of living and working conditions in Costa Rica. The Department attention is invited to his remark that there will be no trouble here provided the forthcoming elections are held in an atmosphere of substantial liberty. If the Archbishop is exerting his influence in order that this condition may be achieved, this course would seem to bring him into conflict with the declared intention of the Administration that Leon Cortés will not be elected.
COMMUNICATIONS RECORDS JO NOISIAIS DEC 11 1943 DJF STATE PS 3M3 It isusomewhat difficult to understand completely the motives underlying the Archbishop attitude toward the Vanguardia Popular Party and its leader, Manuel Mora.
It will be observed from the enclosed memorandum that he does not disguise his distaste for extremis movements, an attitude which is reflected by his comments on Russia, the Civil War in Spain, and the Mexican labor leader, Lombardo Toledano. He appears, however, to have great faith that the leftist movement in Costa Rica, which corresponds substantially to the Vanguardia Popular Party, can be kept on a safe and relatively moderate plane. He is