REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Statele her Inhz by me, MARI Date 24181 tu EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA As US E RECEIVED DIVISION OF CENTRAL SERVICES 15 MAY 17 204 228 San José, Costa Rica CONFIDENTIAL May 10, 1945 No. 459 Subject: May Day marked first national con vention of the Rerum Nogarum Federation of Labor. IGN IRI The Honorable The Secretary of State, Washington.
18. 605 TOLH Sir: 52245 Jou have the honor to refer to my despatch No.
4361, May 5, 1945, in the second paragraph of which mention was made of the successful meeting organized by the Rerum Novarum Federation of Labor which was attended by the President of the Republic, Archbishop Sanabria and an estimated 10, 000 people, a large proportion of whom came from the country districts. The principal address at the meeting was made by Monsegnor Victor Manuel Sanabria y Martinez, Archbishop of Costa Rica. He was followed by the President, who spoke a few words affirming his desire to collaborate with the organization. The President was followed by Father Benjamin Nuñez, the President of the Federation.
AND HEALTH AFFAIRS 818. 00 1045 800. 00 Internal Red Day 818. 504 translation of Archbishop Sanabria address is enclosed herewith. It will be noted that he was making every effort, not only to keep the tone of the meeting on a high, non political level, but to establish a policy directive for the entire organization that would keep it out of Costa Rican politidal battles. The Archbishop devoted a large portion of his speech to making clear his own position toward the labor movement, identifying himself with the Church doctrines as set forth in papal anoyclicals. He exhorted the organization to stick to the principles of the Church and to keep free from politics, in the narrow sense of the term. He defended the Labor Code and the principle of col laboration with employers.
The meeting was terminated by a speech of Father Nuñez which offered certain contrasts to the made by his spiritual superior. For instance, the 18 reliably reported to have stated: Our organization. eminente Subject: Political: May Day events marked apparent setback for Calderonistas and Vangyardistas CS MAJ 878. 00 44 mm 77 VIC SENT TO ARTIMENT STATE