837.00/4166: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:35 p.m.]
351. My 350, September [October] 10, 1 a.m. The propaganda circulated among the soldiers yesterday by the students to the effect that the Cuban Army would be disarmed if a concentration government was formed caused Batista not only to postpone his interview with Mendieta until tomorrow but likewise to issue a statement declaring no change in Government was impending and that there was no divergence between the Army and the present regime. Furthermore, [Page 481] a general assembly of the delegates of the university students which met last night, in view of the reports from Dr. Finlay that recognition by the United States was impending within 48 hours, determined to postpone any action urging the creation of a concentration government and adjourned until tomorrow night when the proposed resolution will again be presented for adoption.
Batista last night definitely refused to agree to the changes in the Cabinet which Grau San Martín desired to make. Batista’s objection was based on the very logical ground that changes were futile unless they implied the support of the political parties and unless they would strengthen the Government in public opinion. He was further induced to take this stand because of his personal lack of confidence in the appointee selected as Secretary of Gobernación who is technically his superior.
The proposal has now been revived of the creation of a super-governmental advisory committee composed in equal parts of the opposition and of the present government, such committee to have practical control of the Executive power. Discussions are in progress this afternoon between delegates of the opposition and of the Student Directorate with a view to ascertaining whether the present government will offer to accept this proposal.
There is a constantly growing universal realization of the need for an immediate change in the present intolerable situation in government. The obstacles to the realization of this end are the reluctance of the students to accept the blame for the situation into which the country has been plunged and the hesitancy on the part of Batista to press the formation of a new government until he is sure that his troops will support such a move. There are of course likewise the inevitable rivalry between the leaders of different factions and the lack of courage on the part of the overwhelming majority of the university professors and a decided majority of the university students in expressing their convictions by condemning the activities of the Student Directorate.
The American Consul at Santiago in a telegram this morning reporting upon conditions in that city states that there exists “universal dissatisfaction and expectancy and no harmony of opinion.” That diagnosis is equally applicable to the present situation in Habana and, from every account I have received, to that in all other parts of the Republic.