837.00/3740: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:30 p.m.]
187. The President has appointed this morning Dr. Horatio Ferrer, Secretary of War and Marine in the place of Captain Castillo Pokorny, who has been appointed Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce to fill the vacancy created by the appointment yesterday of Dr. Rafael Santos Jiménez as Mayor of the city of Habana. Owing to the continued illness of General Sanguily, Chief of Staff, General Armando [Page 379] Montes, retired, has been brought back into active service to serve temporarily as Chief of Staff until General Sanguily is able to resume his duties.
The changes made hold the promise of an immediate improvement in the discipline of the Cuban Army, Dr. Ferrer was until recent years Surgeon General of the Army and has the confidence and support of the great majority of the armed forces.