837.00/3637a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba (Welles)
70. Personal from the Secretary to the Ambassador. Both the President and myself appreciate the trying difficulties with which you are faced in Cuba and have repeatedly informed Ambassador Cintas that we have the utmost confidence in you and what you are doing to be helpful.
Out of the mass of information which has been sent to the United States from Cuba some misapprehension has arisen as to what you are doing, and there has been some adverse comment, both here and in Latin America, that the United States is attempting to coerce rather than to persuade. I of course understand the difficulties you are facing and place no reliance whatsoever on these reports; however, I trust you will bear them in mind and do what you can to correct them.
At the Press Conference this morning I intend to reiterate that Ambassador Cintas was informed prior to his departure to Habana that you have the entire confidence of the President and myself. At the same time, I shall repeat that you are using your good offices in an endeavor to help the Cubans find a Cuban solution for their difficulties; that it is a mistake to speak of a “Welles’ plan” as the only plan under discussion is a Cuban plan, agreed upon by Cubans and put forward by yourself on their behalf; and that it is important to bear in mind that you are acting as a mediator making a friendly effort to assist the Cubans to find a satisfactory solution for their problems.