USCLASSIDEU. 3and the DIARIO redoubled its criticism of both the Honduran Government nistration here when a news item was printed to the effect that ex President Calderón Guardia had stopped in Tegucigalpa for a conference with the Honduran dictator. Whether or not such was the case, the DIARIO seized the opportunity to charge that there was an understand.
ing between the Costa Rican Government and a hateful tyranny.
Within the Government itself there are two attitudes toward the present regime in Honduras. The Foreign Minister hatred of dictator ships in any shape or form is well known, and it will be recalled that he hesitated before accepting his portfolio in the fear that he would be unable to conceal his dislike of them in dealing with the neighbor ing administrations. On the other hand, René Picado is an admirer of any government which stands for stability and conservativeness. Before the inauguration of his brother, don René made a trip throughout Central America, and apparently found in President Carías a sympathetic listener, In any case, as soon as he assumed the Ministry of Public Security he brought from Honduras General José María ZEPEDA, a Honduran reported to be close to Carias. Zepeda was installed in Picado office and his function was understood to be liaison between the Department of Public Security here and President Carías, with emphasis on continued observation of the activities of the numerous Honduran political exiles resident in Costa Rica. Zepeda has just been named Honduran Minister to Costa Rica, and it is obvious that he is a reflection of the good relations which prevail between at least Carías and the President brother. It goes without saying, however, that neither the President nor any other Government official can publicly recognize such relations, NICARAGUA Apart from ideological considerations, Costa Rica relations with Nicaragua are probably of more concern to it than are those with any other nation of Central America, and there are evidences that the spirit of cooperation which existed between General Somoza and President Calderón Guardia is diminishing. It should be added that there were persistent rumors that the friendship between the two men was based on a business understanding in the buying and selling of cattle. In the first place the general unrest in Central America has augmented the amount of public criticism aimed at the various dictators, as well as awakening renewed propaganda activity on the part of the many Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica. Secondly, the handling of the Noguera Gómez affair by President PICADO was such that it played into the hands of the vocal opposition here. This opposition was quiol to sharsº that there was a secret under standing between Picado and Somoza by which the former permitted the latter to send troops of the Nicaraguan National Guard into Costa Rican territory in return for the support which Somoza had lent the last Administration in the Presidential election of last February. While there is no doubt that President Picado wishes to keep on friendly terms with the Nicaraguan dictator, he realizes that the domestic situation will now not permit him to be too friendly without being charged with Rappeasement. Also, it has been reported that Somoza is somewhat displeased with the course of events in Costa Rica, and there is a suspicion that he would not be entirely displeased to see Picado put in a position of some embarrassment. Specifically, of course, it seems logical to suppose that