714.00/6–2754: Telegram
The Ambassador in Guatemala (Peurifoy) to the Department of State
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[Received June 27—8 p.m.]
1121. Situation appears breaking rapidly. Toriello called me to Foreign Office this morning where he said he knew I could stop fighting in 15 minutes if I wished. He asked if I would do so if military Junta took over the government. He asked specifically whether Arbenz would have to leave office and whether Toriello’s own resignation would do any good. He said he was willing to do anything in power to prevent bloodshed and further bombing by planes which he said had damaged vessel Springsfjord at San Jose this morning. He said that he personally and his brother Jorge had always been very anti-Communist [Page 1189] and that as far as he was concerned the Junta could take all the Communists in Guatemala and send them to Moscow. Toriello stated that if the government were turned over to a Junta, Castillo Armas must not come to power as this would cause great bloodshed in the country. He stated that I could cause end of fighting through pressure, if not on Castillo Armas, then on Honduras.
I replied that I had no control over situation but would do anything I could to bring about peace. Re Arbenz remaining in office, I said I could not speak for insurgent forces but would think that the situation would demand a clean sweep.
Toriello asked whether I would be available to see him again this afternoon or tonight. I replied that I would be willing to see him at any time.
Since returning to the office from Foreign Office, I received telephone call from Colonel Diaz, chief of armed forces, who invited me to meet with him and other officers in his home at earliest possible moment. I am now leaving for this meeting and will telegraph results upon my return.
In view of developments I am taking action on evacuation at this time.