837.00/2845: Telegram
The Chargé in Cuba (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:45 p.m]
119. My No. 118, October 2, 11 a.m. I am officially advised that the President has sent a message to Congress requesting authorization to suspend, in his discretion, constitutional guarantees in Habana [Page 666] municipal district in accordance with articles 40, 41 and 42 of the Constitution. Congress will probably grant this authority tomorrow.
My informant assures me that President merely wishes to be armed with this authority in case of unforeseen emergency. He will, however, use it to prevent public meeting of Unión Nationalista as scheduled for October 11.
Warnings to newspaper publishers have apparently accomplished the purposes of a press censorship although no official censorship has yet been established. Situation outwardly calm here this morning.