10. Memorandum for the Files, by Bayard King of the Office of Middle American Affairs1
SUBJECT
- Political Situation in El Salvador
Assistant Secretary Robert Hill,2 who attended the presidential inauguration in San Salvador3 and was there from September 13 to 17, 1956, has furnished us with the following information:
1. Ex-President Osorio
Mr. Hill had a number of conversations with Osorio. The Ex-President plans to visit Washington in November, 1956. While here, he would like to meet some key people and visit industrial areas of the United States, such as the Pennsylvania steel mills and a General Motors plant. It was suggested that Osorio could be taken to visit West Point, and that the military could probably take care of showing him some of their installations. A principal reason for Osorio’s visit is to seek a reconciliation with his estranged wife, who, with their three children, is living in New York. This has been urged on him by a number of friends. Osorio has never really seen much of the United States outside of New York and other big cities, and Mr. Hill thinks he would very much like to visit other areas.
[Page 42]2. President Lemus
Mr. Hill was told that the new President intended to “cut the Gordian knot” with Osorio and the past, instead of assuming gradual control over the heritage left him by the previous regime. Lemus is somewhat of a prima donna, and enjoys having his photograph taken. He told Mr. Hill that he was extremely pleased with the Panama conference4 and his reception by President Eisenhower. He said he intends to carry on the policies of the Osorio administration, and while he is grateful for what the United States has done for El Salvador, he does not intend to ask for anything that El Salvador will not pay for.
Ricardo Creet, a former American naturalized Salvadoran living in New York, told Mr. Hill he considered the new Lemus cabinet the strongest cabinet in 30 years. The Foreign Minister, Dr. Ortiz Mancia, is inexperienced but has good intentions. The New Labor Minister, Dr. Guzman,5 is not as leftist as was Hector Salazar. In general, it appears to be a pretty good cabinet, and Mr. Hill heard no criticism of the new cabinet. Lemus is a personalist who will be hard-boiled but can be expected to eliminate some of the graft of the Osorio administration. Mr. Hill believes we may have trouble with Lemus although the new President has said he is friendly to the United States.
3. Labor
Mr. Hill said there is concern in El Salvador over U.S. desire for rapid development of a labor movement. Some people, like the coffee growers, believe Dr. Tragen 6 of ICA is doing too much in the labor field and opposition to our labor programs in the country may be expected.
4. Coffee
A number of Salvadorans headed by Chico de Sola protested to Mr. Hill that the United States has levied a duty of 3¢ per pound on soluble coffee the Salvadorans are now producing. De Sola thinks this duty is illegal and wants to sue or take other legal measures in the United States to protest. Mr. Hill suggested to them that it would be more appropriate to make their views known through normal diplomatic channels as El Salvador might receive unfavorable [Page 43] publicity if direct methods were used. He was not sure he convinced them, particularly de Sola.
5. “Time” Magazine
Mr. Hill was told that El Salvador strongly resented Harvey Rosenhouse’s reporting on the country. At one time Osorio considered forbidding Rosenhouse to enter the country, but was dissuaded from doing this.
6. Canessa 7
Mr. Hill was told by Osorio that Canessa has taken a financial beating and is probably finished politically. However, he is not a man to accept defeat gracefully and there may be trouble from him in the future. Osorio said he regretted that the political views of Canessa and himself were responsible for their estrangement.
- Source: Department of State, ARA Special Assistant’s Files: Lot 58 D 749, El Salvador. Confidential.↩
- Robert C. Hill terminated his mission as Ambassador in El Salvador September 21, 1955; he was succeeded by Thomas C. Mann, who was appointed Ambassador on October 11, and presented his credentials on November 24, 1955.↩
- Lieutenant Colonel José María Lemus was elected President of El Salvador on March 4, but did not assume office until September 14, 1956. Information pertaining to his inauguration is in despatch 147 from San Salvador, September 14. (Department of State, Central Files, 716.00(W)/9–1456)↩
- Reference is to the meeting of the American Presidents in Panamá, July 21–22, 1956; for documentation, see vol. vi, Documents 109 ff.↩
- Apparent reference to Mauricio Guzmán, Minister of Education in President Lemus’ cabinet; Ramón Avila Camacho was Minister of Labor.↩
- Irving Tragen.↩
- Roberto E. Canessa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs.↩