File No. 837.00/1195
The Secretary of State to Minister Gonzales
Washington, March 10, 1917—4 p.m.
Your March 7 (8?), 10 p.m. You are instructed to ask for an interview with President Menocal and to say that the situation in Cuba has been carefully considered by the President of the United States and the Secretary of State and that it is suggested that peaceful conditions may be sooner restored and further destruction of valuable property be prevented, if he should ask for an investigation and adjustment of the election question by General Crowder and other representative Americans, as was intimated by him to you; that this Government would be willing to lend its good offices to the Cuban people in this respect.
It is suggested that a proclamation, embodying this request should follow the proclamation of President Menocal which was contained in your cable of March 8, 10 p.m.