837.00/2886: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba ( Guggenheim ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
137. Student disorders have occurred daily in Habana since November 9. They have become general throughout Cuba. The Government [Page 670] believes that these demonstrations are instigated by the Opposition and by radical labor factions which hope to win public sympathy from clashes of police with students, many of whom are of no more than high school age. National leaders in Santiago have been arrested under this charge. It is now apparent that students make up only a small part of the disorderly groups. The secondary public schools have been closed. President Machado intimates [he has?] appointed Senator Barerras, a person of distinction, to seek an adjustment of the student situation.
Last night in a street demonstration in Habana the sister-in-law of the assistant editor of the Diario de la Marina was killed on balcony by a stray bullet. The Diario de la Marina was temporarily suspended this morning because of hostile comments on this incident in addition to recent provocative articles. Tonight the same action will be taken against El Pais.
On November 9 a decree was signed appointing military supervisors in each province to direct the maintenance of order. Today President Machado suspended the constitutional guarantees in accordance with the authority granted by Congress on October 3, reported in telegram 121, October 4, 10 a.m. To maintain order in Habana the police have been reinforced by troops. The Government states there have been no disorders in the provinces today.