VECLASSIFIED Authority Statele Her Wahz E; WL, NARA Date 2498 in order to prevent the Government from accusing them of being disturbers of the peace, or from taking away what few arms they may possess, none the less their hopes of presenting a solid front and firm resistance on Election day and thereafter are expressed in their daily political advertising, calling on all Costa Ricans to join the Civic Militia to guard their rights at the polls.
Costa Rica does not have a history of violence, but the Democratic Partyts political advertisements list the times when the people arose in defense of their rights. Particular reference is made to the 7th of November 1889 when the people forced the Government to concedo the elections of their candidate against the man the then Administration had sought to inpose on them. Specific reference is also made to the spontaneous demonstration which culminated on May 15, 1943 and resulted in the Governments withdrawing their project for the reform of the hectoral Laws.
Since Manuel Mora signed his alliance with Teodoro Picado the Democratic Party has effectively spread the propaganda that they were defending the country against Communia and, as Costa Rica is an agri.
cultural and Catholic country, this line of attack has been very effective, The Disgust of the People in General with the Administration of Calderón Guardia, tu fost be find o amb For two years the country at large has become increasingly more, disgusted with the Administration of President Calderón Cardia, Oror anda above their fear and distrust of Communia, there appears to be a general sentiment against the continuation of the type of Governmeat which they se have had the last four years. Because President Calderon Guardia elected with such high hopes, the disappointment over his administration, has been the keaner. Calderon Guardia was a young man of forty when he suceceded the personally ungracious León Cortés who was firby three when ho took office in 1936. Not only was, he young. twice President Cleto se González Viques, thrice President Ricardo Jiménes, were both elderly men)
but Calderón Guardia came of a good family and was socially agreeable and prominent in contrast to Cortés. In spite of this auspicious beginning and the fact that he brought pride to the hearts of Costa Ricans and international fame to the country through Costa Rica declaration: against Japan before any other of the United Nations, Calderon Graandlats demonstrated makness, vacillation, dishonesty pottiness and large scale craft lowered him in the asteem of his countrymen to such an extent has hardly any person, whether for Cortés or Plende, u believe ang statement emanat. ing frou hin. Traditionally the Presidents of Costa Rica, have not made money in office. Both don Clete González Fiques and don Ricardo Jiménez left office poorer than when they went in. Leon Corbos may have Loft office a few thousand dollars richer, but the atmount we u the graft was not obvious. Furthermore, his Administration und efficient and he left the Treasury in sound condition. The state or conta Rican finances has boon disgraceful almost from the bodinning of the present administration, and it is reliably reported that the Calderón Guardia family has become richer by at least twenty lion colones (bve 3, 500, 000)