File No. 818.00/445 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] SAN JOSÉ, May 29, 1918, 9 a. m. Joaquin Tinoco called again 25th and reiterated statement that he was determined to go and brother would go with him early in June. However, it will take some time to carry out financial arrangements affording opportunity for graft, and in the meanwhile reports from Nicaragua are not causing them much alarm. This together with strengthened feeling arising from declaration of war no advantage them to change their minds. Contract with Bank of Costa Rica not yet canceled; some hesitation shown at scandal this would cause. Exchange has risen 50 points on rumor of cancelation to be followed by paper money issue. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/446 The Minister in Nicaragua (Jefferson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] MANAGUA, May 30, 1918, 4 p. m. President Chamorro requested me to inform the Department that he has received advice from his agent to Costa Rica that Tinoco had sent about five hundred soldiers in the direction of the NicaraguanCosta Rican boundary; that a few days ago he had informed Tinoco's representative, Colonel Casa Miglia, that he could not recognize Tinoco; and that his position was the same as that of the United States; and the best thing for Tinoco to do would be to leave the presidency; and suggested that some one of his friends who would be approved by the United States be made President, and further suggested that Casa Miglia proceed to Costa Rica and so inform Tinoco. Upon learning of this, Tinoco telegraphed Chamorro that he deemed it of great importance that Casa Miglia should remain in Nicaragua in view of the gravity of the situation and since there are persons there who are working to destroy the friendship between the two countries. In reply to the above, Chamorro telegraphed Tinoco that he considered it very necessary for Casa Miglia to return to Costa Rica to advise Tinoco of matters of vital importance for the conservation of peace. Chamorro, before taking further steps, desires to know what is the attitude of the Department and what is the best solution of the question, as the abnormal situation in Costa Rica is a menace to Nicaragua. He is of the opinion that the Department should discontinue all ships' crews' calling at Costa Rican ports and take very strong measures if necessary. The political exiles, Volios, Castro Quesada and others, who are now here, have succeeded in enlisting the sympathy of many of the Nicaraguans. The executive committee of the Liberal Party resolved to send Dr. Leonardo Arguello to Costa Rica to advise Tinoco to leave the presidency and thereby avoid further and more serious difficulties. JEFFERSON File No. 818.00/445 The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, June 3, 1918, 4 p. m. Your May 29, 9 a. m. Department does not understand from telegram whether you regard Tinoco's departure as more probable or as less probable in view of strengthened feeling arising from declaration of war. LANSING File No. 818.00/446 The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua (Jefferson) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, June 4, 1918, 5 p. m. Your May 30, 4 p. m. Express to President Chamorro the sincere appreciation that is felt by the Government of the United States for the frank and open expression of friendship and cooperation with the Government of the United States that he has evinced. President Chamorro's suggestion that ships should entirely cease calling at Costa Rican ports is receiving very serious consideration. You may inform the President that the Government of the United States, in readjusting the allotment of ships to be used in the Central American trade, has already taken the position that no Government shall receive more favorable treatment and sympathetic consideration than will be accorded the Government of Nicaragua. While deeply regretting the unhappy conditions which at present cbtain in the Republic of Costa Rica, and which undoubtedly are most distressing and harassing to the Republic of Nicaragua, the Government of the United States can not but feel that all possible patience and forbearance should be exercised at this time, particularly so in view of the possible dangers and complications which any other attitude might lead to. PHILLIPS File No. 818.00/448 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] SAN JOSÉ, June 5, 1918, 9 a. m. Your June 3, 4 p. m. In my telegram referred to by you I meant that strengthened feeling arising from declaration of war taken together with reports from Nicaragua which are no longer alarming in spite of just grievances of Nicaraguan Government and of pres ence of Volios and Castro Quesada there, and together with length of time required to carry out financial measures designed to enable Tinoco to appropriate sufficient money for himself, renders his departure less probable in spite of Joaquin's reiteration on the 25th ultimo referred to in my telegram. Joaquin has called twice since my telegram and said nothing further in regard to going. As I have attempted to show in my reports for nine months past, moral pressure and financial difficulties will not of themselves force him out. He is not sustained in office by public opinion but by his troops, and revenues can not become insufficient to pay these. The moment his fears of any particular threatened military movement from within or without are for the moment dispelled his inclination to withdraw vanishes. He was willing to discuss leaving only when he feared physical effect of publication of Department's declaration of policy, and again when rumors were plentiful of threatened trouble from the Nicaraguan Government and from Costa Rican exiles in Nicaragua. There is no possibility of moral suasion from Costa Ricans nor of an armed internal uprising. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/450 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] SAN JOSÉ, June 10, 1918, 1 p. m. Arguello, Nicaraguan Liberal leader here on a mission to Tinoco, has informed him of activities of Castro Quesada in Nicaragua and of attitude of neutrality assumed Liberal Party there. Dr. Rodolfo Espinos, a Zelaya of Nicaragua in Washington, left yesterday via Pacific Mail steamship San José for San Francisco. Joaquin Tinoco called to-day and informed me that their emissary Casa Miglia in Nicaragua is returning to this country; also that Samuel Piza to be recalled and Guillermo del Guardia now in the United States to replace him in Washington; he expressed his objection to Quesada being given credit that comes from retention in our diplomatic list as Costa Rican Minister; further, that they will not go while threatened from Nicaragua, and contradictorily, that they will go in two months and now want to know opinion of Department as to Juan Bautista Quiros as successor. I told him as his plans do not seem to materialize there is not much chance of receiving an opinion from Washington as to a new plan. Am convinced Tinoco is not sincere about going nor about not going if aggressive action is taken by Nicaragua.. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/466 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] SAN JOSÉ, August 13, 1918, noon. Yesterday Federico Tinoco appeared before Congress to deny current rumors that he had offered to resign on certain conditions. He stated that he had merely, in conversation with friends, said that, provided $3,000,000 were paid for Nicaraguan Canal rights, interest on the foreign debt were suspended for one year, and coffee admitted. to English market estimations, he would think of retiring, but that all this difficult of accomplishment at present; that he gave no credence to rumors of invasion from Nicaragua, as Chamorro and he were on best terms and former would not accept permit violation of neutrality especially as between Allies in the war. Also that President Wilson has entered into war in defense of small nations and that if he has not recognized his, Tinoco's Government, [it was because it was the outcome of?] a revolution. Nevertheless President Wilson will not engage in petty intrigues nor permit countries in which he has influence to engage in unjustified aggressions; but that in any event he, Tinoco, would joyfully give his life with his fellow countrymen in defense of liberty attacked by small or great nation. He also referred to certain pernicious foreigners who shall conform to the laws or be considered subject to expulsion. This is understood to refer to Anastasio Herrero referred to in my telegram of yesterday. Full report by mail. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/482a The Secretary of State to the Minister in Guatemala (Leavell) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, September 13, 1918, noon. Department has been informed by Nicaraguan Government that Casa Miglia is on his way to Guatemala to try to obtain arms for Tinoco. You may intimate to Estrada Cabrera that the Department hopes Casa Miglia will not succeed in getting arms in Guatemala. LANSING File No. 818.00/487 The Minister in Guatemala (Leavell) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] GUATEMALA, September 18, 1918, noon. Your September 13, noon. Casa Miglia has arrived, and is accredited to this Government as the regular Costa Rican Chargé d'Affaires, and also elected a member of the Central American International Bureau, as I am informed, by the Minister of State. Nevertheless, in my coming interview with the President, I shall avail myself of the opportunity to make the intimation according to your instructions; meanwhile I had asked Consul Gozo [sic] to caution consular agent at port as to any such shipments being taken on an American vessel. LEAVELL 'Not printed. File No. 818.00/490 The Minister in Guatemala (Leavell) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] My telegram September 18, noon. GUATEMALA, September 29, 1918, 11 a. m. President Cabrera assures me that he has no knowledge of any such purpose but that he will not allow the purchase if it be attempted. LEAVELL File No. 818.00/497 The Minister in Honduras (Jones) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] TEGUCIGALPA, October 26, 1918, 11 a. m. I have been officially informed by the private secretary to the President that the Nicaraguan Chargé d'Affaires in Honduras has just arrived from Nicaragua to present personally to President Bertrand a proposition from President Chamorro to sanction and assist a revolution in Costa Rica with the view of deposing Tinoco and as impracticability [?] establish a normal condition. It is not proposed to reinstate former President Gonzalez. Revolutionists in Nicaragua and Costa Rica undoubtedly have arranged with President Chamorro as to who is to be made President. It is requested that Bertrand join in this movement permitting men and munitions of war to be used in furtherance of it, also that Nicaraguan revolutionists may pass through Honduran territory to the north coast in order to invade Port Limon. He says that ample men [and] money have been provided already and the revolution is thoroughly organized, and further, that whether Honduras joins in the movement or not it will be undertaken by the cooperation of Nicaragua. President Bertrand wishes to know the attitude of the Government of the United States, whether it will or not tolerate. Not advise or approve but tolerate such movement. His actions will be guided entirely by the wishes of the United States Government. The foregoing has been sent to the Legation in Managua. JONES File No. 818.00/514 The Minister in Honduras (Jones) to the Secretary of State No. 35 TEGUCIGALPA, October 28, 1918. SIR: Referring to my urgent cable of the 26th instant, 11 a. m., I have the honor to inform you that on the morning of the 26th instant Dr. Rafael Alvarado Guerrero, the private secretary to President Bertrand, called at the Legation and informed me of the request made by President Chamorro, through his Chargé d'Affaires to Honduras, General Evaristo Enriquez, for the cooperation on the |