837.00/3615: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:35 p.m.]
133. To be delivered immediately to the President at Hyde Park.
I have just sent to the Department a full report31 upon the situation here and my recommendations of policy in connection therewith which I have requested be communicated to you immediately.
President Machado has this afternoon informed the Senators and Representatives that my statement to him that the solution presented by me was offered with your full approval and was presented with your authorization is false and that no such approval has been given me by you. I am informed that Cintas has cabled him to that effect. I understand that you are seeing Cintas at noon tomorrow. I beg that you inform him that I am acting in every detail with your fullest authorization [Page 340] and approval. I also beg to request that you inform Cintas that while the purpose of my mission here is to avoid the existence of a situation which would give rise to intervention by the United States if a situation of anarchy exists and there is no government in Cuba capable of protecting “life, property and individual liberty” as provided in the third article of the permanent treaty the United States will not evade its obligations under that provision. Both Cintas and President Machado have repeatedly given important leaders here the belief that I am not authorized by you to act and that the attitude I have adopted is one of bluff. I feel that it is essential if I am to succeed in procuring a solution of this very grave situation that Cintas be told by you to inform President Machado immediately that absolutely no act of mine has been taken except with your full approval and authorization.
- Infra.↩