837.00/3204
The Chargé in Cuba (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16.]
Sir: With reference to my despatch No. 930 of November 12, 1931, I have the honor to report that Mr. Antonio Mendoza called upon me this morning and gave me the following account of his recent activities in behalf of facilitating a rapprochement between the Government and the Opposition.
He said that after the release of the four Orthodox Conservative Congressmen and ex-Senator Ricardo Dolz on November 4 and 5, Carlos Manuel de la Cruz, leader of the Orthodox group, went to see General Herrera, Chief of the General Staff, in order to explore the possibilities of obtaining the release from prison of General Menocal, Mendieta and Mendez Peñate. Cruz argued that the release of these Opposition leaders was an initial prerequisite to the establishment of confidence in the good faith of the Government, without which the Opposition elements could not be expected to enter seriously into any negotiations looking toward a reconciliation. General Herrera appeared to be convinced by Cruz’s reasoning and discussed the matter with President Machado. He later informed Cruz that it seemed desirable as a preliminary step that some trusted person be designated to see the prisoners and sound them out in regard to their future attitude if released. The choice fell on Antonio Mendoza and he was informed that he would be permitted to visit them the end of this or the beginning of next week.
At this point, according to Mendoza, the matter was given publicity in the press. The Liberal politicians got the wind up and went to see the President. Mendoza did not say who these politicians were, but he intimated that Vazquez Bello was one of them. They succeeded in persuading the President that it would not be to the interests of the Liberal Party to release any more of the leaders of the August revolution and that it would also be futile to attempt to negotiate with the latter on the subject of a reconciliation which could only be [Page 79] reached at the expense of that party’s present organization. Furthermore, according to Mendoza, they told the President that if he took any steps toward making peace with the Opposition his action would be attributed exclusively to pressure from the American Government and the American banks and that he would, therefore, receive no personal credit for adopting a conciliatory attitude at this time.
Mendoza went on to say that as a result of the interposition of these politicians, he had been advised by General Herrera that the whole thing was off and that he, Mendoza, might as well carry out his plans to return to his sugar mill. He had, however, discussed the matter further with Herrera, who had undertaken to see the President again and to endeavor to persuade him to allow Mendoza to visit the prisoners.
In conclusion, Mendoza expressed the opinion that General Herrera was sincerely desirous of having a peaceful solution reached and that his attitude in the matter faithfully reflected that of the Army, which is anxious to avoid further internal strife.
I thanked Mr. Mendoza for his information, but did not express any comment on what he had imparted to me. He said he would let me know if he heard anything further from General Herrera.
Respectfully yours,