837.00/4264: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24—1:54 a.m.]
391. Fernando Ortiz handed me this afternoon the drafts of a provisional constitution and of a program for the Provisional Government which he told me were approved this morning by Grau San Martín and by the Student Directorate. Both documents coincide in a general way with the draft agreement sent to me by Grau San Martín through Dr. Granados of which a copy was forwarded the Department. The parliamentary feature is, however, omitted. Ortiz told me that Grau would offer three Cabinet positions to the A.B.C. and full equality to all the opposition sectors in the legislative council if they would agree to the compromise proposed. He is to confer tonight again with Grau to reach a complete agreement on details. He asked me to use my personal influence with the political leaders to urge a rapid agreement and I replied that in my conversations with them as with the business representatives I had ascertained that they were fully disposed to concur in any solution which promised political and individual guarantees and public confidence. I stated that I was in full accord with him that a speedy agreement was necessary inasmuch as it was now obvious to all that the position of the [Page 498] government was growing hourly weaker and that if the government did not take a rapid initiative the political leaders would prefer to await the anticipated collapse notwithstanding the dangers that involved.
Ortiz informed me he had been offered the Embassy in Washington or the Secretaryship of State; that he preferred the former but would not accept it unless a stable government were formed as a result of the present negotiations.
As a result of the ultimatum delivered him by the students Grau went out to Batista’s headquarters at Camp Columbia this afternoon to attempt to come to an agreement. I am not yet advised of the outcome.
A general closing of all retail as well as wholesale business was determined by Habana business this afternoon to commence at midnight for 24 hours as a protest movement.