File No. 337.11/391a
[Untitled]
Washington, March 31, 1917, 3 p.m.
On March 28, Commander U. S. S. Eagle stationed Manati reported to Navy Department that Fernandez with four hundred men had burned Bartle and manager of Manati Company had received a threatening letter from him. Locomotive engineer was killed. Officer in command reports that it is necessary to obtain either amnesty, a guaranty of fair elections or that a force large enough to afford protection be sent at once by the Government of Cuba.
You will immediately take this up with President Menocal and insist in no uncertain terms that he immediately dispatch adequate forces to give the necessary protection to American interests at Manati. You will further say to him that inasmuch as he has assured the Government of the United States on repeated occasions that he is capable of putting down the rebellion and of giving ample protection to lives and property of foreigners he must undertake immediately to give such protection.