837.00/3982: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:35 p.m.]
289. I have just concluded an interview with Batista. He expressed this morning the desire through an intermediary to have a conversation with me. His attitude throughout the conversation was extremely reasonable and he repeatedly emphasized the fact that neither the stubbornness of the Student Council nor that of Grau San Martín should be permitted to stand in the way of a solution of the immediate political problem. It was very obvious, from my talk with him, that the students and presumably Grau San Martín himself have misled Batista as to the attitude of the United States Government since September 4th. I made clear to him our policy, convinced him that we have no prejudice and no partiality and emphasized the fact that we would welcome any government in Cuba no matter by what individuals it was composed which fulfilled the requirements made clear in the official declaration of the Secretary of State last week.
He expressed the belief that solution was imperative but that some solution must be found which would not result in open hostility on the part of the students and at the same time not result in open hostility on the part of the important groups and factions opposed to the present regime. He expressed rigorous opposition to all communist propaganda and activities.
Antonio Mendoza, Dr. Granados of the Rotary Club of Habana, and Batista’s aide, Captain Ferrer, were present at the interview. At its conclusion it was proposed by Granados that Batista exert his influence with the students and with the present regime so that as a [Page 452] counter-proposal to the ultimatum delivered by the groups opposed to the present government a list of names of five non-political Cubans should be presented from which the opposition groups will select one name to replace Grau San Martín as Provisional President, such individual then to appoint a neutral Cabinet composed of individuals acceptable to all concerned. This suggestion met with Batista’s entire concurrence and he stated that he would at once support it with the students and members of the present government. I made it thoroughly clear that I had not come to the interview to make suggestions as to the nature of the formula and that my Government had no desire to offer its views as to how a solution should be found but that on account of our deep concern, because of the gravity of the situation we were keenly anxious that all groups and parties in Cuba should come to a political understanding so that a government might exist which would have the support of all.
The influence of Batista at this time is, of course, very powerful. He appears to have increased his control over the troops in Habana although he complains bitterly of the attempts which are being made by the opposition to impair the loyalty of the soldiers to him. I am by no means confident that he can force the students to accept his point of view in which I think he is sincere. A willingness to compromise on such a basis as that now proposed will, I think, be demonstrated by all of the opposition groups except that of General Menocal. The conversations which will ensue, as the result of the initiative which will now be undertaken by Batista, will commence tonight and presumably continue throughout tomorrow. It is my considered judgment that the probability of a favorable outcome would be greatly enhanced if the President himself were willing to address a message to the Cuban people. In my opinion the extreme gravity of the situation warrants this step. It will be recalled that the message delivered to the people of Cuba by the President on the 1st of July last59 met with an exceptionally favorable response. I believe that a message now would be welcomed by all except the professional agitators and those who are opposing friendship with the United States for ulterior motives and that it might well have a decisive effect. I wish, therefore, to present to your consideration and to that of the President the desirability of his issuing a statement based upon the following facts, and I would like to emphasize that if such a message is to be sent it should be made public within the next 48 hours. My suggestions are as follows:
“1. There exists in Cuba today a situation where it is apparent that not only is public order not being maintained but that there is likewise a rapidly increasing disregard for the protection of individual and property rights guaranteed by the constitutions which have been [Page 453] adopted by the Cuban people and reasserted in the permanent treaty between the United States and Cuba.
2. The economic condition of the Republic is fast verging upon complete prostration.
In the state of uncertainty and confusion which now obtains, confidence on the part of financial and commercial interests operating in Cuba has been seriously impaired; the import and export trade has been partially paralyzed; the agricultural production of the nation upon which in great part the prosperity of the Republic rests has been very largely checked; unemployment as the logical result of such conditions has mounted rapidly until such estimates as can be prepared show that approximately one-third of Cuba’s wage earners are unemployed.
3. The financial condition of the Cuban government is rightly a cause for the gravest disquiet. During the past 2 weeks a deficit in the collection of normal revenues has steadily mounted and it is obvious that the ordinary obligations of the government cannot long be met.
4. It is very plain that in order to counteract such conditions which are a matter of just and friendly concern to every republic of the continent and in particular to the Government of the United States because of the traditional ties between our two countries, stability in government must be assured. In the disturbed state of the political, economic, and social phases of Cuban life which now persists, such stability can only be secured if the Cuban people support and have confidence in their government.
The Government of the United States has officially declared it would welcome the creation of any government in Cuba which was responsive to the will of the Cuban people, which was capable of maintaining public order, and which consequently could carry out the functions of any stable government. Those conditions do not now exist.
We favor no group nor party in Cuba in preference to any other. We sympathize deeply with those ideals of social reform and honesty in government which so many of the important factors in Cuba’s public opinion of today are proclaiming. We hope they will be carried into effect. But the Government of the United States believes that what is imperative in this moment of grave crisis is not alone the determination of a far reaching program but the immediate cooperation of all groups in Cuba in the formation and maintenance and support of a government responsive to the will of the people lest all government in Cuba be destroyed. No party advantage, no political strife is the issue at this time. On the program of the provisional government all groups are in accord. The issue is, on the contrary, the urgent need for the support by the people of a provisional and temporary government which can prepare the way through the carrying out of this program for the installation of a constitutional government elected by the majority of the Cuban people.
It would afford the American Government and people the deepest satisfaction if all representative groups in Cuba through their responsible leaders were, without delay, in the interest of the Republic of Cuba, to lend their support to a provisional government in which they all have confidence. We would not only welcome such a government but we would likewise tender it all possible assistance in these difficult moments should such assistance be desired of us”.