837.00/4175: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:40 p.m.]
352. For Caffery. The statement made yesterday by the Department has created an extremely beneficial effect here. While the leading newspapers of Habana are not being published the reporters and other employees of these papers are getting out temporary editions and these have carried the news in very effective form. The statement so made has counteracted the daily propaganda coming from the political parties and from the Student Directorate that Grau San Martín regime is on the verge of being recognized by the United States.
Dr. Guillermo Portela, who has been acting as intermediary between the students and the leaders of the political parties and to whom I denied” the truth of the Finlay reports, yesterday telephoned Marquez Sterling and was told by the latter that in his last conversation with you, you had given him to understand that the inclusion by Grau San Martín of “three national figures” in the Cabinet would be regarded by us as a concentration government which would receive recognition by the United States.
I reiterated to Portela that any such statement on the part of Marquez Sterling was not based on fact and after your telegram No. 117, October 10, 7 p.m., was received I emphasized to Portela, for the benefit of the students, that the policy of the United States Government remained exactly the same. I suggest you call Marquez Sterling to the Department and reiterate for his benefit the statements yesterday made at the press conference as to our policy on recognition and request him to inform his Government accordingly. He has unquestionably made Grau San Martín believe that any change in the Cabinet would be regarded by us as resulting in an acceptable concentration government.
I shall appreciate it if you will cable me summaries of such conversations as you may have with Marquez Sterling so that I may be prepared accordingly.