DECLASSITEJ Authority Stateletter Ihr By Me NARS Cate 2498 Now DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS February 10, 1944 Mr. Bonsal: Mr. Cleroot: Conversation with Manuel Mora, Leader of Vanguardia Popular.
At Calderón Guardia iniative, several members of the Embassy staff talked with Mora, who appeared serious minded and intelligent. He alleged he and his party were engaged in an experiment, attempt ing to achieve their ends through peaceful evolution working through Picado party, and through establish ing friendly relations with the Church, and even United Fruit. He criticized Calderón Guardia financial administration and the Costa Rican tax sy stem, announcing that he favors a disinterested revision of the customs tariff and cattle tax. enforcement of a progressive income tax, as well as carefully selected immigration. He naturally lauded the recent Labor Code and criticized Catholic labor unions as ineffective. He pointed out his difficulties in organizing agricultural workers in a country of small land owners, and felt the solution might lie in cooperatives, although much educational work would have to be done first. He appeared confident of Picado election and felt that there would be fraud on both sides.
but not enough to affect the final result. He detests Cortés, but hoped there would be no serious disorders in connection with the election, alleging that his shock brigades were organized only to deter the Cortesistas from violence. He admires Lombardo Toledano.
As long as the Calderón Guardia Picado forces treat Mora group fairly, Mora will continue his conciliatory policy. Trouble might be caused, however, by a Cortés victory.
Any attempt by Picado to cut loose from Mora after election would leave the latter where he was before. leader of an oppositionist reform minority.
Re: San José despatch No. 1060, 1 44 CCA:WPC Maran:BCH move was puopio Tavo Tor tho church and pointed out that it is poor stratogy to combat the Church MEL