837.00/4360: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:40 p.m.]
443. Certain elements of the A.B.C. have been broadcasting on the radio during the morning that beginning at 3 p.m. this afternoon foreign property and particularly American and British property would be destroyed and that foreigners themselves would be attacked. I have not until now attributed much importance to this propaganda but I have just received the visit of the head of one of the so-called “action” sectors who visited the Embassy at the risk of his own life since orders have been given for his immediate capture, to inform me that the members of his own group were completely out of hand and notwithstanding his efforts to prevent it would probably attempt to carry out wholesale destruction of foreign property tonight with the purpose of forcing intervention. He said the lives of foreigners would be in danger. These men have been made desperate by the reports circulated that many of the A.B.C. members had been summarily executed and by the realization that they can hope for no guarantees of any kind should they be defeated.
There is a great deal more shooting throughout the city this morning than even yesterday. Shooting in front and to the side of the Embassy was frequent. An anarchic situation which may have very serious possibilities seems imminent for tonight particularly if the electric [Page 519] light plant is closed and the city is without light. Several shells have already struck the plant and if any shell strikes the high pressure boilers the plant will be wrecked and many employees killed. The management may consequently be forced to close down the plant.