REPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES DECLASSIFIED Authority State Letter Inhz 8: MLR CE 24 181 Desp. No. 323 American Embassy Senose.
June 30, 1948 CONFIDENTIAL were made behind his back as he was at all times aware of the progress of the negotiations from bein from a pesonal representative whom he sent to participate.
Calderon Guardia was himself at the meeting in Puntarenas when the decision was made to bring in Nicaraguan troops, and the decision with regard to the necessity of his departure from the country was communicated to him be fore the arrangement was signed. In any event, the arrangement, concluding the civil war, was signed by the then President and the agreement or lack of agreement of Dr. Calderon under the circumstances of the moment when he was without political or military support were matters of little immediate importance.
Dr. Calderon conversations with me to the effect that he could count on twenty six de puties and that Feraando Castro Cervantes, another good friend of the United States, could count upon six or more which therefore pointed to the desirability of his being made presidential desigate, is accurately reported, including the fact that the American Ambassador said neither yes nor no. That the situation would have been saved through this ruse is, however, mere wishful thinking on his part since at that point the revolutionary forces were within easy striking distance of San Jose and the government forces were in a state of moral disruption. This fact was well known to Dr. Calderon even though he would prefer to disregard it and even better known to President Picado and his immediate supporters. In any event, such an arrangement would have been for the costa Ricans to work out among the raselves without intervention by the diplomatic corps. If the Doctor really considered it feasible, he need only have proposed it to his fellow Costa Ricans.
It is not believed that Dr. Calderon comments on Mr.
Figueres add anything to those already available to the Department.
On page 10 of his memorandum, Dr. Calderon comments on what he describes as a disgraceful condition where under his political friends are denuded in the public streets, women heads shaved, properties and businesses burnt, and othe similar acts, which he terms true anarchy, take place.
The bassy sources of information and the pe: servations of members of its staff have been seriously at fault as no outstanding examples of this nature can be recalled. As an actual matter of fact, the arrival of Figuerest forces in the city brought a very considerable feeling of relief on all sides as it meant the withdrawal of the mariachis supporting Calderon and Picado and the initiation of the re establishment of order. That the re establishment of the CONFIDENTIAL