Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The American Republics, Volume VIII

839.00/8–1347: Telegram

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

secret
us urgent

Habana, August 13, 1947—2 p.m.

469. Considerable confirmatory information obtained since yesterday ranging from depositions four British seamen sworn at British Legation to rumor and gossip. Now clear that vessel LCT Libertad departed New York July 9 has connection with Cruz Alonso⁴⁵ (see Embassy’s 450, August 7⁴⁶) and engaged end July in transport ordnance munitions and men from Nipe Bay to Cayo Confites where military camp established which by last week reported contain about 1,000 men. Libertad probably renamed Aurora. Additional vessel probably LST Victoria renamed Berta also engaged.

Regarding telephone call from Dept yesterday and Cuban pressure obtain release LCI at Balto,⁴⁷ Cruz Alonso called at Commercial Section, Embassy, today, requesting information on detention. Various reports indicate lack of transport as a serious handicap to effort especially for troop movement. Several rumors maintenance discipline difficult at training centers with Venezuelan Communists in group now thrown out and some executions of which one reliably reported.

Dominican revolutionaries tightening on loose talk and have reprimanded Juan Bosch.⁴⁸ Dr. Rosell of Cuinair⁴⁹ said to have double-crossed revolutionaries on purchase price B–24 aircraft and fears violence.

Revolutionary attempt cannot be discounted yet but problems continue to multiply.

Unless movement to other areas has been made recently, which I doubt, it is still on Cuban territory or in Cuban waters. Does Department desire inquire of Cuban Government under what conditions revolutionaries are on Cuban territory?⁵⁰

Pass War Navy.

Sent Department 469, repeated Ciudad Trujillo, Port-au-Prince.

Norweb

45. Rodriguez Cruz Alonso, a Cuban who took a leading part in procuring vessels and arms for the expedition; the Libertad was seized by the Cuban Navy and brought to Antilla about September 30, 1947.
46. Not printed.
47. LCI (landing craft infantry) No. 534 renamed Patria was detained early in August 1947 at Baltimore by United States customs authorities at the Department’s request.
48. Member of the Dominican Central Revolutionary Committee, duty of which was declared to “bring about in the Dominican Republic an armed revolution, the immediate purpose of which shall be the overthrow of the tyranny of Rafael L. Trujillo and the establishment of a revolutionary government …”.
49. Reinaldo Ramirez Rosell, head of Aerovias Cubanas Internacionales, was one of the purchasing agents for the expedition.
50. Replying in telegram 406, August 15, 6 p.m., the Department stated: “Dept is under impression our position is clear to Cuban Govt (urtel 469, August 13) but if you feel it is not fully clear you have discretion to make it so. We would be inclined at this time not to make the inquiry mentioned in last sentence of your message.” (839.00/8–1347)