837.00/3550: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 9:05 p.m.]
86. I have now received the formal acceptance of my mediation by the directors of the OCRR and of the organization composed of the high-school professors. The university professors have sent me word that a similar reply is to be expected tomorrow from the university group.
I have had a conference with Doctor Albanes, Doctor Martínez Zaldo and Doctor Sardinas who returned yesterday evening from Miami where they interviewed General Menocal who advises that while he is now entirely willing to accept my mediation he is unable to send me official word to that effect owing to his commitment to the New York [Page 310] junta until the junta has either officially accepted my mediation or else has been disbanded.
In replies to inquiries I have stated that I was unwilling to make any direct representations to the New York junta or to receive any representative from the junta. It appears to me desirable that the junta disband at the earliest possible moment and that whatever discussions take place prior to mediation should take place in Habana directly between the various opposition factions and myself. I have every reason to believe that this solution is now only a question of days.