Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Cuba, Volume VI

104. Telegram From the Embassy in Cuba to the Department of State¹

Havana, July 17, 1958—noon.

86. Department pass CIA, FBI, Defense, Navy, Air, crypto State pass crypto Army for ACSI, CINCARIB, USACARIB, USARANT. Following is summary of letter from Consul Wollam to Admiral Ellis at Guantanamo Base and Ambassador received afternoon July 16 [less than 1 line not declassified].

1. Rebels state delay in release military personnel necessary to protect local civilians from army retaliation. Regret inconvenience to USG but says it minor compared necessity protect civilian population. I doubt much can be done to expedite release but am trying everything possible.

2. I believe publicity on delay would spur Cuban Army action. Army not capable of cleaning out hills, but Cuban Air Force can scorch towns. I think we have underestimated size and extent of rebel movement. New pick-up site is in another major area full of armed men. It is completely controlled by rebels and has independent government set-up.

3. Letter from Raul Castro dated July 14 apologizes inconvenience caused USG, but gives no assurances action will not be repeated. Says rebels confident that reasons which make kidnapping necessary will not be repeated.

[Paragraph (1 line) not declassified]

1. Rebel units have received orders commence offensive 15 July with objective seize all Oriente Province by 4 September. Rebels attacked Guantanamo City airport night 15 July but repulsed. Then attacked nearby sugar mill and killed two soldiers. Source of information is American newsmen considered to have good contacts with rebels.

2. At 11:30 local time July 15 rebels seized car belonging to Guantanamo base employee two miles north of base. At 1430 local time July 15 rebels overpowered Navy sentry at base and took his weapons.² Source foregoing is Naval intelligence officer at base who comments it obvious that all of adjacent areas with exception of base and Guantanamo City controlled by rebels.

Embassy comment: It would appear rebels are holding kidnapped Americans to give them time for preparation for offensive action. On basis these and other reports (Embtel 81³) there is considerable possibility increased armed disturbance Oriente Province at early date.

Smith

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/7–1758. Secret; Niact.
2. In telegram 54 to Havana, July 18, the Department asked that Wollam be instructed to inform the rebels of “serious U.S. concern” over the rebel attack on the Guantanamo base sentry and that sentries were being instructed to “use weapons, if necessary, to protect life and property on base.” (ibid.) In telegram 111 from Havana, July 19, the Embassy reported that Wollam had delivered this message to the rebels. (ibid., 737.00/7–1958)
3. Dated July 16, telegram 81 reported that the Cuban Army commander in the Guantanamo area had requested reinforcements in expectation of a major rebel attack on July 20 or sometime after August 1. The Embassy noted that several sources indicated that there would be intense rebel activity in Oriente province on July 26, the anniversary of the July 26 Movement. (ibid., 737.00/7–1685)