837.00/4362: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:14 p.m.]
445. After bombardment lasting 2 hours a red cross was hoisted on Atares Fortress. Batista’s soldiers, however, continued to fire with artillery and from a gunboat upon it. A white flag has now been hoisted. Firing upon the fortress, however, still continues.
A Government report intercepted by the Richmond states that Batabaño in the southern portion of the province of Habana is in the power of the revolutionists and reports received by the American press correspondents confirm reports earlier received from Cuban sources that the revolutionists are marching through the southern portion of Matanzas and Habana Provinces.
The anticipated revolutionary movement in Oriente Province appears to have commenced with an outbreak in Palma Soriano to the north of Santiago.