File No. 837.00/1254
The Secretary of State to Minister Gonzales
Washington, March 23, 1917—4 p.m.
Your March 23, 1 a.m. You are directed to hand the Cuban Government a copy of the following statement and say that you are authorized to make it public.
A copy of this cable has been sent to the commanding officer of the United States naval forces via Navy radio with direction to hand it to Consul at Santiago and to make it public in all parts of Cuba.
It has come to the attention of the Government of the United States that a report is current and persistent in Cuba that the United States in response to requests from leaders of those in revolt against the Constitutional Government is considering taking steps in their behalf. The Government of the United States is at a loss to understand how its attitude in the present situation in Cuba could be misunderstood.
In order to avoid any further misunderstanding with reference to the several statements made by the Government of the United States and published throughout the Republic of Cuba, which statements have defined the attitude of the Government of the United States in unequivocal terms, it is desired to reiterate essential points set forth in the above mentioned statements which are as follows:
- 1.
- The Constitutional Government of Cuba has been and is being supported by the Government of the United States in the endeavor to restore order throughout the Republic.
- 2.
- The Government of the United States, in emphasizing its condemnation of the reprehensible conduct of those in revolt against the Constitutional Government in attempting to settle by force of arms disputes for which adequate legal remedies are provided, desires to point out that until those in revolt recognize their obligations as citizens of Cuba, have laid aside their arms and returned to their allegiance to the Constitutional Government, the United States cannot hold communication with any of them and will be forced to regard them as outside the law and beyond its consideration.