File No. 818.00/436
The Chargé in Costa Rica ( Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Third mobilization this year has taken place. After much resistance and many desertions, about three thousand men have been obtained. Pretext is danger from Nicaragua, but real reason, in the absence of definite news of danger from that direction, has been in order to have pretext for grafting. Mobilization and unsettled conditions also to be used as pretext for declaring state of war with Germany, as appears from the fact that yesterday Tinoco appeared [Page 263] before Congress and in second Chamber demanded that war be declared. It is said that seventeen Congressmen are opposed, in which case program of declaring war to-day may be defeated. Public excitement and indignation at proposed action very great, as it is evident that it is mere scheme to raise money, not merely by confiscation of German property, but by forced loans and contributions. Contract with Bank of Costa Rica whereby it acts as Government receiver of revenues and depositary of security for silver certificates also to be canceled, owing to refusal of bank yesterday to consent to violate the security.
Of considerable political significance also was the formal public presentation on the 21st to Dr. Carlos Duran of a gold medal given by medical society of Nicaragua through the suggestion of ex-Nicaraguan liberal residing here, Dr. Rodolfo Espinoza. Tinoco and diplomatic corps were present. Affair was a great political demonstration in favor of Duran. After ceremonies in theater, crowd went to Duran’s house where violent anti-Tinoco speeches were made in the presence of latter, in which he was called assassin of Guell and his companions. Tinoco was loudly hissed on leaving.