CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM
RELEASE IN
OCT3
Chief, VV IE
Chief of Station, Guatemala
KUOOTW Priority
"Psychological Barometer"
1. The following "Psychological Barometer" report for the week ending3 is eubmltted ln accordance with the priority assignments recently established for thla station b; No attempt hae been made to measure the degree to which reported attitudes toward looal conditions are held by particular classes or occupation groups. However, It can be safely stated that hopelessness is the majority attitude of the admittedly disorganized opposition.
or individual attitude* refleoted ln thisand professional man, urban Industrialofficers, newspaper editorials, governmentattitudes of farm owners and operators generallywith that of business and professional men. Thoserepresented in this reporttudents, farmmen) will be included In subsequent reports on
for the week ending
Torcre disorganised, discredited, and Incapable ofeffeotive act: bent administration.
A general feeling of hopelessness prevails with regard to existing conditions. All groups contacted during the re-
porting period expreased the belief that internal opposition
incapable
taking effeotive action against Communism and/or the Incum-
Upper, middle, and lower classes are believed to beanti-Communist but there is no party of individual that they can turn to for guidance or In whom they can place any trust. .Vlth few exceptionsarket women) the people look upon ppeals with apathy and distrust because so many opportunists have used theanner to deoolve the people. Existing and defunct anti-Communist groups have dissipated public sympathy bya lack of unity, organisation! leadership', discipline and firm objectives. oncealed personal ambitions and flagrant misuse of funds have further diaoredlted opposition
Page two
individuals or groups in tho eyes of the people.
Businessmen are increasingly reluctant to take normal capital risks because of unpredictable government policies and the constant threat of Impossible labor demands Inspired by Communist dominated unions (Business attitudes are reflected in other portions of this section although not apeclfloally Identified as such).
Many workers bitterly objeot (privately) to Communist called strikes against foreign companies but thsy feel powerless to act because the union leaders obviously enjoy ths support of the government. If they do not cooperate, the government backed Communist leaders will see to It that they lose their jobs.
The army's position may be summed up by stating that the majority of aotlve officers are with the side that commands -that Is, the side capable of rewarding loyalty and support. The army is uneasy about the steady growth of Communism and Is responsive to clearly defined popular opinion, but until or unless the people manifest their discontent by meansniflsd, effective opposition It Is unlikely that the army would consider any action that would jeopardise the material privileges they now enjoy. Inactive officers, however, are highly critical and eould welcome and cooperate withactivity designed to overthrow the present governaent. According to some opposition sources the army, until recently tho last hope of the people, is now so thoroughly infiltrated in key positions that lt la incapable of acting Independently to save Guatomala from Communism. xhis belief furtherto the measurable despair which now prevails. Those who believe the army to be heavily Infiltrated by Communists feel that exiled groups and/or. are the only remaining hope.
Thereertain amount (undetermined) of sentiment favoring some (undefined) action by. to solve the problems facing Guatemala. Direct intervention, political or economic, le not distasteful to some and opposition circles were reportedly heartenedecent news story whloh alleged that. was about to invoke the Monroe Doctrine to combat Communism throughout the hemisphere. On theother hand, those whoU.S. action readily admit the variable quality of such sentiments and agree thatmight be the first to become hostile toward. following any direct action. Favorable reaction was reported following the positive measures taken by colonial authorities in British Guiana in the faceommunist coup. Presumably those favoring such action believe. ahouldirmer position regarding Conminiam in Latin America.
age 3
Not all opposition elements give unreserved support to. Editorial comments in the Independent press. Indirection, Indecision, appeasement, or lack of policy toward Communism ln general and Guatemalan Communism ln Generallyhe Impending arrival. Ambassador has croatod an environment of suspense. Great interest is expressed in the possibilityore. policy.
One fairly reliable observer with many middle and low lovel contacts feels that "the man in the street is afraid." Police ranks have been increased since the Salami affair and there is the belief (unconfirmed) that police Informers aretrying to spot subwerBlves. This observer's contacts are reluctant to talk politics unless thoy are sure that tho person with whom they are talking is secure, ttany government workers below the policy and supervisory levels are Indifferent or fearful and maintain an apolitical attitude to protect their
Jobs.
The Information contained in this report is not exclusively the contribution of Esotrope, as originally envisaged In tho priority assignments established by headquarters. Since Esotrope does not have unlimited social mobility it was deemed advisable todata collected from other sources ln order toeport which more nearly reflects the attitudes of all segments of the public.
That part of the "psychological barometer" report pertaining to PR activities will be Included In the report for the week ending
Lj. To facilitate the collection of information and the preparation of related reports we have been compelled to include some information In this report which would ordinarily be included ln the group studies on morale factors which was establishedeparate priority assignment. This was necessitated by the obvious fact that psychological attitudes and morale factors are so closely associated. Asingle report will be submitted on or about3 to reflect morale factors among students, laborers, army officers, enlisted men, government officials, and business and professional men. Until then, and subsequently, the weekly "psychological barometer" report will be inross section of attitudes on local conditions with little or no emphasis on groups.
S. Givloch
Distribution:
1-Plloa
Original document.
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