DECLASSMEU Sutherity Stateletter in he ML, MARC::e 24 181. 2As reported in my telegram under reference, the students took to the streets on Saturday morning and a disorganized parade found its way to the offices of the DIARIO DE COSTA RICA, where speeches were made by various students. At the same time groups supporting Señora Odin were also formed, and scattered fighting ensued between the groups. In one such encounter one of the demonstrators was injured, but it now appears that the police did not shoot any of the students, although shots are alleged to have been heard by several witmosses.
Several of the paraders were taken to jail for a few hours, but after the meeting at the DIARIO offices the crowd dispersed, and the streets have been quiet ever since. The question of Señora de Odin status, however, is still not clearly resolved; in today TRIBUNA she stated that in the interest of harmony she was resigning her position. In the same paper, nevertheless, Prosident Calderón Guardia announced that there was no question of the Executive withdrawing the nomination, so it remains to be seen whether her resignation will be accepted. The Minister of Gobernación told a member of the Embassy staff last night, and the press reported today, that Señorita María del Rosario Quiros resignation as the directress of the Colegio had been accepted and that Professor Salvador Umaña had been named to head the institution temporarily.
The latter, who is stated to have been one of the signers of a petition of solidarity with the former directress, is to reorganize the Colegio, after which it is, hoped by the Government that it will reopen.
Meanwhile, the students appear to be firm in their determination to remain on strike until their point is won, and the strike has spread to the University as well as to various other schools throughout the country. While foeling continues to run high over the situation, it is probable that some peaceful solution will eventually be reached.
The Administration suffered a second setback during the past week when it attempted to push through Congress a project authorizing a bond issue of five million colomes.
This project, apparently inspired by Tinance Minister Gutiérrez Ross backed by the President, was introduced lareh 23 with no advance notice and with no opportunity given for debate. According to the opposition, not even the Government deputies had had a chance to read the bill when it was called to a voto and passed the first time. As might have been foreseen, both the project itself and the manner of its presentation stirred up immadiate resentment.
According to Señor Julio Peña, Manager of the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, officials of the various banks discussed the measure as soon as it became known and were unanimous in their disapproval of it. committee camposed of a representative of each bank was then selected to confer with