839.113/12–547: Telegram

The Ambassador in Cuba ( Norweb ) to the Secretary of State

confidential

713. Reference Brazil’s sale of arms to Trujillo see A 1133 December 111 and Rio’s telegram 1671 December 4. Brazilian Ambassador12 informs me Foreign Minister13 called him December 1 complaining reported arms shipment. Ambassador wired Rio receiving reply 5,000 used Mauser rifles sold, a small and unimportant transaction. Ambassador so informed Foreign Minister December 4 who urged immediate cancellation and stated “situation between Dominican Republic and Cuba is very bad indeed and will not be improved by arrival such arms”. Foreign Minister requested Ambassador inform Rio Cuba could not understand Brazil supplying arms to bloody despot like Trujillo.

Foreign Minister told Ambassador he did not expect Trujillo bring up squabble either PAU or elsewhere.

Ambassador informed Rio his opinion arms sale unwise and would not be understood by American nations.

Significant to note that while Ambassador played down to Foreign Office this transaction Rio also minimized importance to its Ambassador if figure of 10,000 rifles proves correct.

As interesting sidelight Embassy officer informed in strict confidence today General Pérez, Cuban Chief Staff requested Juan Arevalo, Cuban labor leader visit Dominican Republic, call on Trujillo to placate him re abortive invasion and sound him out on plans respecting Cuba.

Pérez reported concerned over purchase material by Trujillo and possible aggressive intentions towards Cuba.

Pérez may be acting on own initiate [initiative?] and he reportedly told Arevalo point out to Trujillo that he responsible for breaking up invasion and no further such acts possible in Cuba.

Sent Department 713, repeated Ciudad Trujillo.

Norweb
  1. Not printed.
  2. Carlos Alves de Sousa Filho.
  3. Rafael González Munoz.