837.00/3608: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:13 p.m.]
131. My telegram of August 7, noon. The President has not as yet reached any decision as to his course. I have just been advised by General Herrera that he has removed the former Chief of Police of Habana who is execrated by the public and replaced him with an officer in whom the public will have confidence. Meetings of the members of Congress of both the Liberal and Conservative Parties are now in session and I shall be advised by the leaders of the parties as soon as a decision is reached.
The streets are filled this afternoon with almost unmanageable crowds and the police have been firing upon them to prevent them from congregating around the capitol and around the President’s palace. The President himself is at his country place outside the city.