837.00/4493: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Welles) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 12—1:54 a.m.]
513. The Uruguayan Minister after the breakdown of negotiations this afternoon made a statement to the Associated Press in which he said that I had not followed his advice, should solely have sought the cooperation of the A.B.C. Party, and had organized the meeting of the opposition leaders held last night without his knowledge. Torriente has sent for the Minister to request a published retraction. Should this not be forthcoming I shall tomorrow morning make a brief statement making clear the facts.
As have already informed the Department the Uruguayan Minister came to me to request my cooperation in his efforts at conciliation. I replied that while I could take no action whatever I fully sympathized with his endeavors and should my opinion be requested, would counsel a peaceful adjustment of all disputes through patriotic compromise. My conversations with the party leaders have of course been limited to this. The meeting between Grau and the political leaders last night was arranged for by Grau directly with the latter. In my conversations with Grau himself, when he requested my assistance, I made it thoroughly clear that I could take no part whatever other than that of a friendly observer and that the role of go-between was undertaken not by me but by the Uruguayan Minister.
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