File No. 818.00/381
The Minister in Panama ( Price) to the Secretary of State
Our detective who saw the men and arms reports that on Saturday 10 men only, Costa Ricans, led by Robles, and 2 others of Volio’s followers were on the way to Costa Rica from Chiriqui Province; that they had 21 rifles with 200 to 700 rounds ammunition for each; that they then, and later, Jorge (or George) Volio, who was still in David, stated that their plan is to enter Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, surreptitiously and separately, and not as armed expedition, to recruit followers there, capture El Pozo, a port on Golfo [Page 254] Dulce, and entrench themselves until sufficient force is organized to march on capital. Detective just from Puntarenas Province says strong sentiment there against Tinoco aggravated by cruelty of the assassination of Guell and his band, and he believes their plan feasible. He does not think Germans involved with Guell. Three of Volio band were still in David. Vaglio has gone by ship to Costa Rica, remainder with Alfredo here.
Supplementing my telegram of April 3, 10 a.m.1 Costa Rican President has cabled General Santiago de La Guardia here to make public protest against invasion, and to Colombo to file a formal protest with me as representative of the country capable of keeping order in Panama and to remind me of his pro-Ally sentiments and that Costa Rican people oblige him to fight German intrigue. Please instruct also regarding this protest.
- Not printed.↩