HARRY TRUMAN LIBRARY Papers of NATHANIEL DAVIS polvoa nolako4 HAnril 21, 149.
JHT 90 ADIPIMA 10 TATA 2TINO This morning a very nice telegrom came from the Acting Secretary of State reading: While Denartment aware Costa Rican situation far.
from stable commends you hichly for role in facilitating the reaching of agreement between Figueres and Picado government. Department fully appreciates extraordinary personal risk to which you have exposed yourself which is in finest tradition of Foreign Service.
Entire staff is to be congratulated for effective manner in which Embassy has been conducted during this difficult period.
About mid morning several Mariachis, apparently drunk, came down the street shouting and firing their rifles in the air. Due to the general disorganization and speed with which the troons are being demobilized there were no police available, or soldiers on whom the government could rely, so these men had things all their own way. There was a food deal of intermittent shooting all the rest of the morning and a good part of the afternoon. When left the office to go home to lunch people were hovering in doorways, but reached my car without difficulty. Ismael jumned into the driver seat and started towards home fest. had to caution him to slow down. During lunch Andy telenhoned thet there was a pood deal of piring all around the place. So since there was nothing urgent coming up, just stayed home. Towards evening we watched from our window the recruiting of some police in the fortress across the street, and word came that some recently released political prisoners had volunteered for police duty and were patroling the streets. Also word came in that some Figueresta patrols have entered the city. So imagine order will be restored before long. should not be surprised to wake up tomorrow morning to see Figueristas on sentry duty throughout the city. Of course there wibl be minor disturbances of one sort or another for several days.
The paper announces that the Bogota Conference has appointed a committee to investigate whether Somoza sent troops in to Costa Rica and whether, if so, the Conference has any iurisdiction. They needn investigate the first point. He has admitted it, and named the places he occupied. Also we now have documentary proof that Picado gave Paco Calderon power of attorney to do as he saw fit in the matter of asking Nicaraguan aid. So Picado WS technically telling the truth when he said he had not asked for them. But his henchman did with the President anroval. Nice friends have here.