837.00/1972: Telegram
The Representative on Special Mission in Cuba (Crowder) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:05 p.m.]
At conference yesterday referred to in my urgent 14, January 26, 6 p.m.,11 I made very explicit statement that if, through failure of courts to act promptly on contested election cases, the ad interim [Page 675] administration of municipalities should continue, followed by ad interim administration of provinces commencing on February 24th, and ad interim administration of the nation on and after May 21st, with total paralysis of legislative power on first Monday in April 1921,12 a similar statement would be presented under Platt Amendment of change of Ministers to maintain a Government adequate for protection of life and property and individual liberty making it very difficult if not impossible to avoid actual intervention. Statement was received without the slightest offense. I think effect will be greatly to stimulate action by courts and also action by Congress on amendments to the electoral code necessary to expedite partial elections which in all probability must be held.