837.00/4196: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba (Welles)
120. From Caffery. Your 364, October 14, 5 p.m. The following statement has been released to the press this afternoon:
“The Department has been informed that an effort is being made to involve the Embassy at Habana in the action taken by the Cuban Army officers last month in taking refuge in the National Hotel, and in subsequent events.
With regard to this matter the Department can state unequivocally that far from instigating the assembling of the officers in the National Hotel, Ambassador Welles had no knowledge of their intention until the event took place. Moreover Mr. Welles was equally unaware of any of their subsequent plans, having never spoken to any of them either individually or collectively or having attempted to communicate with them since they took refuge in the National Hotel.”