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

837.00/9–2147: Telegram

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

secret
us urgent

Habana, September 21, 1947—2 p.m.

549. Further Embtel 546, September 19.⁵⁵ Friday night⁵⁶ President Grau appointed Army’s Colonel Enrique Hernández Nardo supervisor of National police who assumed charge yesterday and appointed army supervisors each police district and made many transfers high police officials. Police Chief Ruiz Rojas has gone on leave.

Today’s press featured army seizure yesterday afternoon 13 truck loads munitions including aerial bombs and depth charges on farm belonging Alemán Minister Education (Embtel 490, August 20⁵⁷). Chief Staff facilitated extensive reporting and photos.

As consequence these developments army control police promises more peaceful domestic situation. Cabinet shifts likely view implication Alemán. President’s prestige will suffer further but there are no indications rift with army.

Above developments and other information indicate rapid crumbling Dominican invasion attempt.⁵⁸

Pass War, Navy.

Sent Department 549, repeated Port-au-Prince.⁵⁹

Norweb

55. Not printed.
56. September 19.
57. Not printed. José Manuel Alemáu had been entrusted with the organization of the revolutionary movement.
58. On September 29 an Army investigator informed the press that the Dominican expeditionary force had been liquidated.
59. Text of telegram 549 repeated also to Ciudad Trujillo in telegram 200, September 22, 1947, 6 p.m.