File No. 711.18/10
The Chargé in Costa Rica ( Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Have learned reliable source that … called in as usual to advise Tinoco, sent cables to President Wilson and four Senators regarding incident before American Legation 13th.
[Page 273]Version, reported given by him, absolutely false, as well as reported statement that American colony indignant. At any rate have received numerous proofs yesterday and to-day that colony almost to a man regards incident as an insult to the United States. In fact, I am transmitting long cable for them to this effect, coding of which not yet completed. There may be considerable delay and lack of sequence in my cables due to Tinoco intervention. In addition to men in crowd Dr. Ramon Zelaya, prominent lawyer and frequent visitor here, also arrested. At noon yesterday Joaquin Tinoco sent me note asking for explanation of a spontaneous expression of indignation directed at police that escaped me during acts of brutality. Pending instructions from the Department I replied in the same informal personal form of note that I regarded occurrences of the evening in question as more fittingly calling for an offer of explanation from him. Rumors have reached me this afternoon that Tinoco Cabinet meeting taking place at which my expulsion being considered.