then headed for Puntarenas on freight train, but apparently have not taken Puntarenas. San José, Limon quiet to-day. Many troop movements yesterday to Alajuela and other places. Guell faction in movement appears to have anticipated others, giving Tinoco chance to arrest many more suspects in outlying provinces and San José. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/331 The Consul at Port Limon (McMillin) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PORT LIMON, February 24, 1918, 2 p. m. Costa Rican Government troops en route to Turrialba yesterday to meet revolutionary troops fired on passenger train bound from San José to Limon, killing three persons, mortally wounding another, slightly wounding several. American, M. B. Ryan, Milford, Connecticut, wounded eye. Communication Limon, Listav, San José, cut. Am requiring full explanation governor, Limon, action affray [?] troops; taking depositions important witnesses. Ryan able leave hospital for New York. As yet no fighting Limon. No communication by cable. Is not known how long can use wires without Government interference. Details in my despatch. (?) Gomez leading revolution requests boat protect American interests. I will not reply except say have communicated his letter Minister Johnson and to the Department of State. MCMILLIN File No. 818.00/332 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] SAN JOSÉ, February 24, 1918, 8 p. m. Serious incident occurred yesterday afternoon at La Pascua near Limon. Passenger train from San José was on siding and troop train from Limon on the main line abreast; troopers fired into passenger train supposedly under the impression that revolutionists. were on board, wounding one American, two Jamaicans, two Costa Ricans, and killing one Jamaican and three Costa Ricans, one of whom was brother-in-law of Felipe Alvarado. Shooting done in broad daylight at a distance of four feet, commanding general apparently giving order. Details by mail. Please instruct. Juan Gomez previously mentioned, started movement Turrialba yesterday with 60 men, taking possession of train from Cartago. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/330 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PORT LIMON, undated. [Received February 24, 1918, 8.07 p. m.] Other factions movement have cut railway Limon; communication difficult; none by cable. Movement growing. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/328 The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, February 25, 1918, 4 p. m. Your February 22, noon, from Port Limon just received. Keep Department closely informed in regard to situation. Your December 31, 11 a. m. Navy Department will be prepared to dispatch United States vessels to Costa Rica for protection of American lives and property should Consul or Legation report necessity for such action. LANSING File No. 818.00/335 The Consul at Port Limon (McMillin) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PORT LIMON, February 25, 1918, 4 p. m. Further examination shows shooting on passenger train by Costa Rican Government troops absolutely without excuse. Governor Limon statement soldiers intoxicated is not confirmed by statements passengers. Approximately five hundred shots fired; presence [of] mind saved most passengers from death. Mr., Mrs. Younge and child and Mr. Grant on train, but escaped; en route for New York on steamer. Ryan confined hospital for week, possibly sight of wounded eye saved. All other casualties among native Costa Rica (?) Panama. Identification to be made and blame to be placed and perpetrators punished, says President, through Government Limon. Occurrence seems deliberate murder. American feeling bitter Limon. Treatment passengers by Gomez courteous. Consulate and Legation mail passed. United Fruit Company pay car captured with $60,000, sent back to company with his compliments. Movement strong. Details despatch last night. Three bodies Government troops started different points to capture head of revolution, Gomez. Two bodies encountered each other and fought severe battle before mistake discovered. Third body presumably defeated by Gomez. Still quiet Limon, Notified Price, Panama. MCMILLIN File No. 818.00/336 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] SAN JOSÉ, February 26, 1918, 11 a. m. Yesterday Gutierrez Navas, Nicaraguan member of Central American Court of Justice, called on me to say that he had cabled his Government that in measures to suppress present counter-revolution Doctor Irias was acting as closest military adviser of Tinoco that matter. Member of his kitchen cabinet is Colonel Santos head of naval guard, and the secretary of that organization is Umberto Barahona, all three implacable enemies of present régime in Nicaragua. That this action of Tinoco has now become serious menace to Nicaragua as they command considerable forces which they could throw at any time into Nicaragua. This close relationship between the two first-named Nicaraguans and Tinoco has been several times referred to in despatches and considered as a serious menace to American lives as well, since Santos has several times threatened to kill all Americans. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/338 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extracts] SAN JOSÉ, February 26, 1918, noon. Your February 25, 4 p. m. received. Have you received my February 24, 8 p. m.? Wounded American, Ryan, doing well. Now appears that Colombian also killed. Backbone of movement seems to be broken; cable and rail communication last accounts restored; but movement may revive. Also urgently recommend that Volio and friends in Panama be allowed. sufficient freedom to return to Costa Rica. Guell appears to be in flight. Am awaiting instructions regarding action to take on behalf of Ryan. Minor incidents I have taken up unofficially without instructions. Whole Costa Rican situation requires serious consideration. I have not perhaps emphasized sufficiently lawlessness of Tinoco régime. For the last two weeks, since official full investigation discovered some of revolutionary government plans, reign of terror has existed. Suspects in great numbers in every part of country have been thrown into jail and mildest punishment has been lashes on the back to extract confessions. Several of rural guard imprisoned have been tortured to death; one while undergoing torture called Tinoco a traitor and was instantly shot by Joaquin himself. Two Americans' houses have been entered without warrant and Carlos, being likewise an American citizen previously mentioned, kept in jail without warrant several hours until I had him released. Spanish colony have suffered particularly, as I have reported. Incidents verified and circumstances too numerous to mention have been reported to me of the most barbaric and atrocious torture of political prisoners. 91114-3023 Sentiment is extremely strong for intervention among all classes of foreigners and natives who are praying for some form of aid from us. A remarkable change of sentiment has been effected since the anti-American demonstrations before Legation three years ago in regard to Nicaraguan treaty. Very considerable demands backed by warship would be desirable. Costa Ricans, if the present movement unsuccessful, are helpless in the hands of despotic tyrants who are ruining the Costa Rican Government. Situation warrants effort on behalf of democracy against czarism in Costa Rica, more so in view of our fight for same principle in Europe. Many believe that if our troops landed here they would be welcomed. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/347 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] LIMON, February 27, 1918, noon. Gomez and Mariano Guardia, Minister of Finance under Gonzalez, and 60 men forced to surrender at Turrialba by placing in front of Government lines two daughters of Guardia. This stratagem boasted of by Tinoco commander, a cousin. Movement practically over. Am encouraging ex-President Duran and members of Central American Court of Justice to urge strongly retirement of Tinoco. Attitude of latter is one of defiance of the United States. He has stated repeatedly that for the honor of the country he will not get out at the suggestion of foreign government, when real reason is simply desire for office and graft, and doubtful as ever that he will voluntarily resign. Treatment to be given rebels still in doubt. JOHNSON File No. 818.00/340 The Minister in Panama (Price) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PANAMA, February 27, 1918, 2 p. m. Volio is begging earnestly to be permitted to leave in view of the outbreaks in Costa Rica, about which we get only limited and somewhat contradictory reports, indicating them to be sporadic but occurring in various sections. If permitted to go, he says he would still try to reach Nicaragua and invade the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. Please instruct. PRICE File No. 818.00/335 The Secretary of State to the Consul at Port Limon (McMillin) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, February 28, 1918, 6 p. m. Your cables February 24, 2 p. m. and February 25, 4 p. m. Keep Department fully advised by cable in regard to situation. LANSING File No. 818.00/343 The Consul at Port Limon (McMillin) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PORT LIMON, March 1, 1918, 11 a. m. Your cable February 28, 6 p. m. Revolution apparently over, failure due chiefly to fact Government had practically all ammunition and guns in the country. Responsibility for firing on passenger train being investigated according to the Governor Limon but believe nothing will really be done without demand of our Government. MCMILLIN File No. 818.00/357 The Chargé in Costa Rica (Johnson) to the Secretary of State [Extracts] No. 237 SAN JOSÉ, March 1, 1918. SIR: I have the honor to confirm briefly my cables in regard to the revolutionary movement that broke out on Friday, February 22, on the Pacific side and on Saturday, the 23d day of February, on the Atlantic side, and which has been up to now a complete failure from a military point of view. Juan Gomez and Mariano Guardia, the able ex-Minister of Finance under the Gonzalez Government, and the two most respectable active participants, were captured on the 6th at the estate of the first named, near Turrialba, after their failure to advance upon Cartago, and have been brought as prisoners, with their sixty odd followers to San José and confined in the penitentiary. The feeling of the American colony for Mariano Guardia is so high that if he is badly treated they will protest to a man. There is no announcement as yet of a general amnesty and release of the hundreds of political prisoners on the contrary, the machinery of military law under which they were taken before and during the trouble seems to be continuing to operate and no leniency is yet indicated in the treatment of prisoners. Rogelio Fernandez Guell on the Pacific and Manuel Chao on the Atlantic are still uncaught, and hope is still expressed that something may be expected from these two men. The latter is an experienced Mexican guerilla fighter, as he is the ex-Villista general, for some time military governor of the State of Chihuahua. It is rather significant that the expression on the faces of thousands of people of |