837.00/3807: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:45 p.m.]
220. Late last night I was informed that in disgust at the appointment of Batista as Colonel and permanent Chief of Staff of the Army, Porfirio Franca, the most conservative member of the revolutionary group at the Palace, had resigned and had gone into hiding fearing an attack upon him by Batista. José Irizarri, another member of the group, likewise resigned. Both of them have agreed to withhold publication of their resignations until Monday morning in order not to provoke a public crisis.
Franca stated to my informant that the attitude of Batista had now become intolerable since he was dictating to the so-called government instead of carrying out the orders given him by the government. Franca fears Batista will now undertake a new coup d’état to do away with the revolutionary group and install himself in the Palace.
From the leaders other than Nacionalista, the ABC and the Menocalista Party, I am advised that when the discussions between the revolutionary group and the political leaders are resumed at the Palace this morning the respresentatives of the three groups mentioned will deliver [Page 411] an ultimatum insisting upon the immediate formation of a government created in the customary form and participated in by all of the important factions in the country. With the schism which now exists within the revolutionary group itself it appears likely that a compromise will be reached but in view of the attitude of Batista it would not seem as if such solution would afford any very favorable prospect of stability.