File No. 337.11/478
The Secretary of State to Minister Gonzales
Washington, May 7, 1917, 7 p.m.
Department informed by representative large American interests in Oriente Province that Cuban Government is not giving protection against destruction by rebels along railroad; that Cuban officers evidently fear to take their soldiers out Guantanamo; that on May 2 word was received by cable to the effect that work at Belona and Marco Sanchez on railroad line was stopped on account of the situation; that repeated requests for adequate protection for Belona have been unavailing and without protection all houses and bateys would be destroyed. He states further that he received a cable on May 3 from the same source that the fears entertained were well based as the stores, houses and other property at Belona and Josephina were burned by the rebels.
You were instructed to take this up at once with the Cuban Government with the idea of obtaining full and proper protection.