837.00/1791
The Minister in Cuba ( Long ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 7.]
Sir: I have the honor to report in reply to the Department’s telegram of September 27, 5 p.m. that President Menocal yesterday informed me that he did not care whether the number of Marines at Camaguey are [sic] increased or reduced, but that he was interested in having nothing done which will show any lack of confidence in his ability to deal with the situation. He said he was confident his political opponents would make capital of any public announcement that more troops were to be sent unless a good reason for sending them was given; that if the Liberals suggested an increase in Marines then he preferred that their petition be disregarded. I assured him that no Liberals had broached the subject to me; that it had naturally occurred to us that if trouble developed American property might be the first to suffer and that the possibility of being called upon to facilitate the protection of American lives and property caused us [Page 25] to consider the advisability of increasing the Marines. I added that no Liberals had made such a request and that our idea in speaking with him regarding the matter was to obtain his opinion before a decision should be reached.
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… He concluded by remarking that he felt confident the Government forces could protect American property and stop any burnings which might take place, but that he was not opposed to an increase in Marines provided it could be accomplished quietly. …
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If the burning of American cane fields and other property should begin, with the idea of producing intervention, it would not be likely to take place in a limited area but to be scattered pretty well throughout the various provinces. … I do not doubt the intent to give protection, the disposition of the present constituted authorities is not in question. Whether the Cuban Army, presupposing that it would be absolutely faithful to the Constituted Government, could be mobilized in time to save millions of loss and the destruction of a crop so badly needed by the world, is to be considered.
I have [etc.]