837.00/4488: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 3:05 p.m.]
504. My 500, December 7, noon. The night before last Torriente had a confidential interview with Dr. Grau. He explained at great [Page 537] length to Grau the political and economic situation of the country and received from him exactly the same expressions and assurances which Grau had given me the preceding night. Grau told Torriente in unequivocal language that he was willing to resign but still insisted that he wished to remain in office until a constitutional convention could be convoked. Torriente explained to him that in the disturbed situation in which the country now was, that was materially impossible since disturbances would not cease until a change of government had taken place and no fair elections under proper guarantees could possibly be held until the parties had a chance to organize and until the active intervention of the Army in every phase of Cuban existence as is now the case can be prevented. Grau appeared to be convinced by the arguments advanced.
The Uruguayan Minister came to see me yesterday afternoon to show me the revised formula he has now prepared to provide for an understanding between all factions. This formula includes in addition to the points already communicated to the Department a new article, the essential portion of which reads as follows:
“Upon the retirement of Dr. Grau San Martín from the Provisional Presidency on blank date Colonel Carlos Mendieta will assume the functions of the Provisional Presidency.”
The remainder of the article in question provides for the manner in which a substitute for Mendieta should be selected in the event of his inability to serve. The Uruguayan Minister stated that he was going to urge upon Grau the abandonment by the latter of his desire to continue in office until a constitutional convention had assembled and likewise urge that the date of his resignation be set for the very near future. He told me that he was going to explain to Grau that in his own opinion no solution of this character would be possible unless it was carried out immediately and included the provisions above mentioned.
Batista sent word to me this morning that he and the officers of the Army were insistent that the agreement be entered into by Grau and that there was a general unanimity of opinion among the leading officers of the present Army in favor of the above formula. Dr. Presno, the newly appointed Director of the University of Habana who represents the opinion of all the professors and the great majority of the student body, asked for an opportunity to see me last night and advised me that not only was the student body extremely anxious for an agreement along the lines proposed but also that in a recent meeting of the members of the former Student Directorate almost all of the students had expressed their intention of going over to the opposition and openly opposing the present government. He stated that he [Page 538] would see Grau today and urge upon him ratification of the agreement as now formulated.
Grau has requested me to have a further interview with him tonight and I have agreed to meet him at midnight as previously in a private house. In general the prospects seem more hopeful. The press without exception has come out in open support of the suggested agreement which is now a matter of common knowledge. Public opinion has rallied in favor of it and even the soldiers in the streets are speaking enthusiastically of the hoped for change in government.