837.00/3601: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 4:50 p.m.]
125. The first definite proof I have received of probable governmental complicity in the general strike threat was the visit a few minutes ago of the delegates of the Liberal Party requesting me in view of the seriousness of the situation in the Republic to suspend the mediation negotiations. My reply to them was as emphatic as I could make it. I stated that if mediation proceedings broke down I could assure them that the opposition factions would immediately return to terrorism and to revolution and that in my judgment in view of the unrest which now exists the Government could not possibly withstand the assault which would be made immediately upon its authority. I told them that if they persisted in their intention they themselves would be directly responsible for the downfall of the Government and for disaster to the Republic of Cuba.
The delegates told me at the termination of the interview that they withdrew their suggestion and would continue in the mediation negotiations with the utmost sincerity and unimpaired spirit of cooperation.
I will see the President at 1 o’clock today and shall request a definite statement from him as to whether this suggestion by the representatives of his party is to be interpreted as an expression of his own opinion.