DECLASSIFIED Authority Stateletter 112 REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES San José, Dec. 5, 1946 Despatch no. 2652 That the statement constitutes the opening gun in a campaign leading to a definite break with VANGUARDIA PCPULAP. It is known that Dr. Calderon has made the statement that times have changed and that Comunis is not fashionable today and that he realizes that both for internal and international political reasons he should divoico his name and party from any further alliance with VANGUARDIA, which, in the popular mind and more particularly the opposition, is definitely regarded as communistic. That it constitutes an attempt to secure the support of the wealthier classes and the church for his forthcoming presidential campaign. That his remarks regarding his religious convictions, as well as his claims of having favored the catholic church, are designed to somewhat lessen the shock of his divorce of his Belgianborn wife and his pending marriage to a Costa Rican young lady.
It is known that Dr. Calderon was unable to secure approval of his divorce from the catholic church.
So far, the opposition has practically ignored Calderons remarks, except for a few sarcastic comments in a humorous vein istianisimo Doctor (most Christian doctor. His frank admittance of having made the statement substantially as attributed and clever explanation as to just what he meant by it appears to have at least temporarily somewhat taken wind out of the sails of the opposition.
Respectfully yours, Hallett Johnson Enclosure: Translation from La Tribuna, December 1, 1946 File: 800. 800 CR AACohen:bj Original and hectograph to Department Copy to Embassy San Salvador CONFIDENTIAL