837.00/3642: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:22 a.m.]
151. Since the abortive revolt of the first battalion of artillery yesterday afternoon there have been several threatened revolts in divers portions of the Army insisting upon the immediate resignation of President Machado. Ferrara, who impresses me as temporarily mentally unbalanced, without authorization of President Machado announced the latter’s resignation and his substitution by General Herrera by telegraph to all the local commanders. Certain of these discovered the fact that the announcement was untrue and a far more serious revolt was at once imminent. I think the situation is now in control. If General Herrera is enabled by this afternoon to announce that he will appoint a Cabinet consisting of representative members of all parties and giving their names I am hopeful the effect of Ferrara’s imprudence may be overcome.
The President apparently intends to hasten his resignation to Saturday or Sunday at the latest.