837.00/3991: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 23—2 a.m.]
294. At their interview this afternoon with the university professors who were proposing a solution based upon the retention of Grau San Martín as President and the selection of a national Cabinet both the Student Council and Grau San Martín reversed completely the conciliatory attitude assumed last night and stated they would agree to no compromise whatever. At the same time Batista was holding an interview with Mendieta and Gómez upon both of whom he made an extremely favorable impression. He stated that the solution proposed yesterday (reported in my telegram 289, September 21, 7 p.m.) should be acceptable to any Cuban who thought first of his country and that he would again see the Student Council tonight at 9 o’clock and deliver an ultimatum to them in the sense that they must accept it. After this interview he will meet with the leaders of all the opposition groups to report the result. All of the opposition groups have now decided to support any government formed as the result of such solution.
[Page 456]In the meantime the revolution gathers strength in Matanzas Province. It is reliably stated that the cities of Cardenas and Matanzas will join the revolt tonight with the support of the troops stationed there.
The students this afternoon refused to permit a truck loaded with pod for the officers in the National Hotel to enter although the soldiers on the truck bore a written order from Batista authorizing entrance land although an officer by order of Batista directed the entrance of the truck. Since officers in the hotel only have food for one day more they will presumably try to fight their way out tonight or tomorrow. There is general apprehension in Habana tonight; all leaders of the opposition group have however informed me that they have strictly forbidden any counter movement so long as there is any hope of a peaceful solution.