File No, 818.00/414
The Chargé in Costa Rica ( Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Sent for Joaquin yesterday and communicated to him substance of your April 26, 10 a.m. [noon]. Suggested to him that his brother decide very quickly in regard to retirement, as I had little idea that Department would alter my information regarding publication of statement. He begged me to defer publication as it would spoil his plan of trying to persuade his brother to leave the country; that he, himself, was convinced that they should go but it would be a matter of saving pride of his brother to persuade him. I asked if he could bring it about within a few days. He replied, within a week, but do not believe they would actually go until after May 8. His idea is for his brother and himself to resign, turning over presidency for remaining 5 years of term under new Constitution to one of 3 or 4 men whom he would not yet name to me but who would give him a military mission in France and brother a consulship and retain some of their friends in office here. This of course would not be admittable as final solution since country would feel cheated by the [Page 259] United States if elections were not soon held. We could avoid binding ourselves in advance, however, and then it might be possible to secure from person left in charge by Tinoco early elections. Popular demand will be heavy for these elections to be supervised by the United States. Am watching carefully to prevent efforts of Joaquin being mere fight for time. Congress meets in regular sessions May 1.