REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Statele ter hr by me, NARS Date 2418 of the merican Foreign Light Power Company that all their problems can be worked out if the latter will only discuss matters frankly and realize that it is time for a new ere in their relations.
In concluding this part of the conversation, Mora said that the great difficulty in Costa Rica is that many rich people, including some of those influential in the Government, are hide bound conservatives with no feeling of responsibility to better the conditions of the poor and have the mentality of a past era. It is true, however, that these same conservatives. among whom were included the majority of landed proprietors and some important business men, still regard the Vanguardia Popular as a Communist party, and mora as a devil with horns.
My own iudgment, based in darge part on an analysis of Vanguardia principles and on the above interviews, is that to day the Vanguardia cannot be considered as a Communist party. weak link in my chain of thought is my ignorance of the relations if any which exist to day between Mora and Russian authorities, as well as of the Department present characterization of Russian policy. can only give it as my opinion that while Mora admires Russia he is not now under Russian domination and is wholly interested in improving the living conditions of the laborer in Costa Rica and in Costa Rican politics.
Whether Mora would sacrifice his principles to political expediency is an open question and many people believe that he would do so. Personally am inclined to agree with the Archbishop opinion as to his sincerity for the bettering of labor conditions, but it must be remembered that he is an ambitious politician and possibly an opportunist. In any case, he appears to believe that expediency favors meeting capital half way where such action is practicable.
Sell 42716 SE 111 1044 eu, CA In connection with the issuance of visas to members of Vanguardia Popular party, should like to refer to this Embassy despatch No. 2074 of November 10, 1944, in which it was pointed out that there appears to be a conflict between the interpretation of the law as set forth on pages 27 and 28 of the Department top secret instruction of September 30, 1944, entitled Distinction between Social Democrats and Communists and American political interests in Costa Rica. In view of the position now taken by the Vanguardia Popular however, am not sure whether such a conflict continues to exist, as it is my opinion that the members of Vanguardia Popülar can no longer be accurately described as Communists within the meaning of this instruction. If am correct in my opinion, the Embassy should not refuse to give a visa merely because of membership in Vanguardia Popular party. should be glad to be Fog. 9 30 44.