837.00/4119: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:30 p.m.]
335. It appears to be now established that the following are the casualties in Habana yesterday: of the officers, 14 killed and 17 wounded; of soldiers and civilians associated with them, 80 killed and approximately 200 wounded. It seems to be equally clearly established that none of the officers was killed up to the time of their surrender. Approximately six were killed either by soldiers or by the [Page 468] crowd around the National Hotel as the result of violent shooting which broke out from an unexplained cause after most of the surrendered officers were already lined up in front of the hotel. Of the remaining officers who were killed, three were killed by soldiers in the truck in which they were being taken to the ferry in which they had to cross the harbor in order to enter Cabana Prison and the remainder at the ferry landing either by the crowd or by the soldiers who were guarding them.
There have been continued rumors last night and this morning that the Student Council and a portion of the soldiers wish summarily to execute the officers who are now in prison. So far as I can ascertain Batista, his own personal supporters, and some of the members of the Government are vigorously opposing this move. I expect to see Batista this afternoon and I shall endeavor to learn what positive guarantees for the safety of the officers he has been able to provide. I feel of course and am sure the Department will concur in my belief, that should there be any real danger of the execution of the officers I will be justified on the grounds of humanity alone, in making the most vigorous representations to the existing authorities against such a measure which would be a blot on the civilization of the continent, for there is absolutely no justification whatever for mass assassination of this character, particularly when there are no charges pending against the great majority of the officers.