837.00/3575: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 12:41 p.m.]
109. A bomb was placed in the doorway of the American Club yesterday which exploded without causing any serious injury or any material damage.
Upon their own initiative all of the delegates of the opposition represented in the mediation proceedings made public immediately a joint declaration condemning in the strongest words this action. As an indication of the change in public opinion this declaration is significant inasmuch as three of the sectors signing this declaration, namely, the A B C, the O C R R and the U R27 had until 5 or 6 weeks ago been pursuing exactly the same terrorist activities which they now strongly condemn.
The secret organizations of the opposition are making an immediate investigation to try and ascertain the individual responsible for the placing of this bomb. I anticipate having a report both from the Government and from the opposition within the next 48 hours. I have reason to believe that the bomb was placed either by a member of the Government secret police which is bitterly opposed to the mediation proceedings or by a member of the local Menocalista group which I have verified was directly responsible for the placing of the bomb in Dr. de la Torriente’s house last week.
- Unión Revolucionaria.↩