File No. 837.00/7380.
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Habana, June 10, 1912.
From the first it has been difficult accurately to estimate the situation because, above all, of complete failure of Government to be fair and frank with me. All statements made upon my own authority have been sent only after the most thorough verification and are entirely accurate. I believe that the consul at Santiago, our chief source of information in Oriente, is thoroughly reliable and conservative. The Government has never been frank, and quite recently it has clearly appeared tome that it considered it necessary to convince the American Government that the insurrection was crushed, in order to avoid intervention. For in spite of protestations of confidence in our intentions, the Cuban Government seems to believe intervention to be imminent. Rivero’s statement as to disorders on Saturday night are quite in line with the policy of his Government in suppressing and distorting news regarding the true situation, which has added materially to the existing feeling of uncertainty and apprehension. As regards withdrawal of ships, I can only say that my telegram of June 9 was sent only after careful consideration. If the sending of the ships was warranted in the first instance I am convinced that there is now no reason for their withdrawal. To-day I gave Admiral Osterhaus the substance of my June 9, and such additional information as I had. He said that he thought the vessels should remain for a time for moral effect, even if not upon far more serious duty.