The subject of my despatch No. 381 of October 29, 1918,1 sent off three cablegrams which were written in the house of Federico Tinoco (Casa Azul) according to reliable information; one addressed to President Wilson, another to some Senators, and another to Mr. Bryan, in which he took sides for the Tinocos and against our Government representative, and falsely stated that he was speaking for the American colony here. His un-American attitude-since being permitted to return to Costa Rica, presumably to attend to his gold mines-is very much resented by all of the substantial Americans in the colony here who feel very keenly the gross insult offered our Government here by order of those now in control. Most people with whom I have spoken feel sure that by his general conduct and talk and misrepresentations has done more to bring about present conditions than any other individual except the Tinocos and his presence here is anything but beneficial to the United States. There will neither be peace nor security for life or property in Costa Rica until the whole party now running affairs are ousted by whatever means necessary. Americans are in actual danger now and they, together with most of the other people, would welcome any action that would end conditions, no matter how drastic. Threats have been made against the life of Americans within the past few hours by J. J. Tinoco which may be carried out by some of his dupes. I have [etc.] BENJAMIN F. CHASE File No. 711.18/11 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] SAN JOSÉ, November 18, 1918, noon. My November 15, 7 a. m. Telegram from American colony therein referred to was abandoned because of news leaking out that telegram to be sent signers feared for their safety and property. Conduct of Tinocos towards me becomes daily more insulting and intolerable, Joaquin absolutely lying to others about me and in last note to me contradicts me in an insulting manner. He has also threatened my life in case of action on the part of the United States. JOHNSON File No. 711.18/7 The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 19, 1918, noon. Cable Department exact text of your "brief remarks to crowd." LANSING 'Not printed. File No. 711.18/12 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] SAN JOSÉ, November 20, 1918, 9 a. m. Your November 19, noon. Exact text to the best of my recollection pertinent part of my brief remarks. The news as just received announce a proclamation by President Wilson in which he says that it will now be our fortunate duty to assist by example, by sober friendly counsel, materializing the establishment of just deraocracy throughout the world. Perhaps in these words of President Wilson the peoples of some of the countries of this continent will see reason for hope Kaiserism has gone down to defeat in Germany. Let us hope that it will be done away with wherever on this continent it still may flourish. JOHNSON File No. 711.18/11 The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 26, 1918, 4 p. m. Your November 13, 2 p. m.; November 13, 11 p. m.; November 14, noon; November 15, 7 p. m.; November 18, noon. In view of the recent actions of Tinoco and those acting under his authority, you are instructed to close the Legation and return to the United States. The Legation clerk, Scott, is directed to return with you. You will leave the archives in charge of Consul Chase. If you think it desirable, the services of one messenger may be retained to report to and be paid by Chase. A United States ship will be sent for you. You will be notified of the exact date of its arrival. Bring with you copies of your recent interchange of informal notes with Tinoco. LANSING CUBA POLITICAL AFFAIRS1 Precautions Taken by the United States to Prevent a Recurrence of an Insurrection; Lawlessness in Camaguey and Oriente Provinces; Return to Cuba of Moneys Taken from Cuban Revolutionists by American Officers in Haiti; Amnesty Granted to Revolutionists; Pardon of Army Officers Convicted of Attempting the Life of the President; Release from Confinement of Former President José Miguel Gomez; Restoration of Constitutional Guaranties File No. 837.00/1409a The Secretary of State to the Consul at Santiago de Cuba (Griffith) [Telegram-Extracts] WASHINGTON, August 18, 1917, 8 p. m. For Morgan Consul General: 2 Your letters July 29, August 3, and August 8 to Stabler received.❜ Importance and urgency of sending American forces to Cuba is clearly realized by Department, and War Department informed this Department July 24 that it would send a regiment of cavalry to camp for ostensible training purposes in vicinity Santiago and requested that Wittenmyer be instructed to proceed to Santiago to choose site. Before report was received from Wittenmyer, Secretary of War decided that it was impossible to spare any forces from Army for this purpose and at conference in White House between Secretary of War and Secretary Navy it was decided to send a regi ment of Marines to Guantanamo to carry out State Department policy. Navy informed Department Marines will leave in few days. This change of plan has retarded action. Reports in press to effect that United States Government declined invitation of Cuba for training camps unauthorized and source unknown. Department is issuing statement to-day to effect that offer of Cuba for training grounds has been accepted and that troops will go in near future; that this offer of President Menocal shows Cuba's earnest desire to cooperate in war. This statement will be given publicity everywhere. Presence of regiment of Marines in eastern end of Island should restore confidence planters and labor. . . LANSING 1 Continued from Foreign Relations, 1917, pp. 350-456. 3 Special agent in Cuba. 'Not printed. 276 File No. 837.00/1412 The Special Agent in Cuba (Consul General Morgan) to the Secre tary of State [Telegram] SANTIAGO DE CUBA, August 22, 1917, 5 p. m. The Department's policy in sending a regiment of Marines to Guantanamo, as intimated in its instructions of August 18, is a source of gratification to all the planters in this end of the Island, and I can assure the Department that this will be a guarantee that there will be no destruction of property in this end of the Island during the next grinding season. Contradictory newspaper reports in regard to the sending of troops had caused much anxiety here among the planters. MORGAN File No. 837.00/1415 The Special Agent in Cuba (Consul General Morgan) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] ANTILLA, August 31, 1917, 10 a. m. Arrived Antilla August 29. A large number of murders are being perpetrated in this province and Camaguey by hired assassins, the victims being members of the Liberal Party who took part in the last revolution. This is terrifying labor here and I respectfully recommend that representations be made to the national Government to desist from this system of revenge and the promise of amnesty made the Liberals when they surrendered be kept. MORGAN File No. 837.00/1416a The Secretary of State to the Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, September 5, 1917, 4 p. m. Department is reliably informed that many murders are being committed in Camaguey and Oriente provinces, the victims being in most cases members of the Liberal Party who participated in the recent revolution. This condition is reported as terrifying labor and as creating apprehension lest promises of amnesty will not operate to protect those persons to whom such promises were given. You will please inform the Cuban Government that such reports have reached this Government and express this Government's confidence that the Cuban Government will exert every effort to maintain orderly conditions in the provinces mentioned. This is particularly essential in view of the importance of reassuring the laborers who will be required to handle the next sugar crop. LANSING File No. 837.00/1416 The Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] HABANA, September 6, 1917, 1 p. m. Your September 5, 4 p. m.; It places me at decided disadvantage to inform the President we have reliable information of many murders being committed in Camaguey and Oriente provinces, the Liberals being the victims, and when he asks who have been killed and wishes to know approximate localities of the crimes, so that officials may be held responsible, I am unable to furnish a single valuable detail. This has happened many times and in such cases I think Legation should have more information. GONZALES File No. 837.00/1417 The Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HABANA, September 10, 1917, 11 a. m. Your September 5, 4 p. m. My September 6, 1 p. m. Discussed with President, Saturday, reported acts of violence in Oriente and Camaguey provinces. He said that there had been four assassinations in the former, none in the latter. One probably due to love affair, three undoubtedly revenge by relations of persons murdered during revolution. In each case judge of district instituted investigation. President expressed agreeable surprise there had been so few crimes of this sort. I suggested that freedom of people from apprehension being indispensable to normal quiet, he issue to all military chiefs instructions to promulgate orders and publish statements calculated to calm possible apprehension and emphasize Government's antagonism to any sort of reprisals, agitation, or other lawlessness, and determination to prosecute offenders. The President thereupon showed me copy of such order issued August 22 expressing these ideas in very positive and satisfactory manner. GONZALES File No. 837.00/1419 The Minister in Cuba (Gonzales) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HABANA, September 26, 1917, noon. Former President Gomez, leading figure in late revolution who for six months has been confined in penitentiary awaiting trial, has been removed to his country place where he will remain under guard. Board of physicians testified to ex-President's critical state of health. Mrs. Gomez also ill. GONZALES |