837.01/47: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of State
24. Your No. 13, November 27, noon. We have maintained that the criteria of Cuban recognition are: (1) popular support, and (2) ability to maintain law and order and carry on the functions incumbent upon any stable government.
[Page 528]The Embassy at Habana insists that these criteria have not been met. With regard to No. 1, Mr. Welles emphatically expressed to me his judgment that Grau does not have the confidence of the mass of the Cuban people, but is supported by a minority bent upon remaining in power despite all costs. With regard to No. 2, Mr. Welles believes that the Grau regime can maintain order only by the most extreme and dictatorial methods, (although it appears to have strengthened itself by the suppression of the November 8th revolt which has tended to discourage counter-revolutionary movements).
In view of this situation, and the President’s Warm Springs statement of November 24, I am awaiting further report from Welles, who arrives at Habana tomorrow. I will keep you fully informed of developments.