REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter Inha me Nafa Ce:1 24982 15. PI RECEIVED EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WW sem José, Costa Rica, 1946 FEB 18 AM 32 February 18, 1946 COEL. DC No. 1588 RECORDS BRANCH Subject: Reflections on the Elections of February loth.
DER (ADA)
NARS Date The Honorable The Secretary of State, Washington, 19 1946 DECLASSIFIED Holla 818. 0012 1146 Lee AIRLOCD Sir: Department of Sido With reference to my despatch no. 1587 of February 1lth (1. have the honor to report that LA PRENSA LIBRE of February 11th stated in its leading editorial that it wished particularly to point out the honest, just and serene attitude which has characterized the President during the recent.
difficult days. This statenent is noteworthy since LA PRENSA LIBRE, although more neutral than the DIARIO DE COSTA RICA, almost invariably favors the Opposition.
Following the above expression of its viets the paper publishes in full the following statement of President Picado: 818. 00 1246 Abteille 260 APR 2 1946 should like to express my cratitude toward all the Costa Ricans, without noticing to which political party they belons, who wished to support ne in ny desire that the elections be effected in peace and the most correct procedure. am not so foolis as to believe that this or any other elections are perfect. Democracy itself is imperfect, but, in contrast to other forms oi government, it has the nerit of being perfectable. It is my desire that Costa Rica should move forward, rather than backward. believe that all Costa Ricans have the same thought. have full confidence that the Great Electoral Council will be able to solve fairly the complaints which the persons damaged may present with respect to any incorrect acts which may have occurred during elections. promise the country not to interfere with the decisions of that high tribunal whose decisions, whatever they may be, will, lanow, be based on just reasons anu civic honesty. nl Cs MAR 1 1946 The President has proved himself to be a far stronger and more honorable man than the Opposition has heretofore been willing to believe. He made it clear DOR. ARE Unit that public Le mth (1) Subject: Elections take place with Comparative Freedom and with only very Minor Instances of. Violence.
SENT TO FR HECTO