File No. 837.00/1082
[Untitled]
Habana , February 14, 1917, midnight .
According to Government advices elections were held in Santa Clara to-day without further friction. In over two thousand votes Menocal received ten to one. The President’s explanation is that liberals would not vote for Zayas. I understand several American newspaper correspondents were present.
No change in the situation since noon report except that Manuel Gonzales, mayor of Santo Domingo, Santa Clara Province, a large cane grower, has surrendered on promise of safe conduct to Habana.
Much depends on whether the people in country who have not responded to local insurgent leaders will rally around Gómez. That will be demonstrated by the end of week.