File No. 818.00/411
The Chargé in Costa Rica ( Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Quoted portion of your April 23, 5 p.m., handed to Tinoco yesterday at unofficial interview at Executive Mansion. Joaquin only other person present. Had intimate talk for two hours. Both men are sick of positions but afraid to let go for fear of assassination. Federico impressed me as irrational and both are acutely alarmed over new enemies, results of deaths in revolutions and Guell killing. …
I suggested advisability of his giving public consent to publication in Government newspaper organ. Both men immediately became greatly excited and said it will result in assassination of one [Page 258] or both of them within 24 hours, and that if I published it in some other way he would immediately summon consuls of countries that had recognized him and inform them of it, and would hold the United States directly responsible for their deaths. In [which] case he probably meant I personally would be held responsible. I said I did not wish to have to publish, for example, in Panama and add an explanation that publication not permitted here. I changed subject to their possible retirement with the idea of making that an alternative to publication. They did not take offense but saw principally same difficulty of their assassination which would follow within two or three days. I assured them that all plans I had heard discussed involving their retirement included their safe conduct out of the country. They also insisted they were poor men. I said I knew they had some very good and wealthy friends. (The fact is same plans just referred to of Costa Ricans involve enabling Tinocos to fill their purses. It is possible they have not done this, having in mind possible opportunities after hoped-for recognition.) I said in regard to publication that I would ask new instructions. …