File No. 837.00/1417
The Minister in Cuba ( Gonzales ) to the Secretary of State
Your September 5, 4 p.m. My September 6, 1 p.m. Discussed with President, Saturday, reported acts of violence in Oriente and Camaguey provinces. He said that there had been four assassinations in the former, none in the latter. One probably due to love affair, three undoubtedly revenge by relations of persons murdered during revolution. In each case judge of district instituted investigation. President expressed agreeable surprise there had been so few crimes of this sort.
I suggested that freedom of people from apprehension being indispensable to normal quiet, he issue to all military chiefs instructions to promulgate orders and publish statements calculated to calm possible apprehension and emphasize Government’s antagonism to any sort of reprisals, agitation, or other lawlessness, and determination to prosecute offenders. The President thereupon showed me copy of such order issued August 22 expressing these ideas in very positive and satisfactory manner.