300. Telegram From the Consulate General in the Dominican Republic to the Department of State 1

818. Not since last August has Dominican Republic been such beehive of reports and rumors. Subjects deal with precarious GODR finances, action against Venezuela, action by government against GODR including invasion, commercial and POL developments between GODR and Soviet bloc, proposed action against US and its citizens, dissident plots for overthrow Trujillo, and GODR plots to annihilate dissidents. Yesterday Consulate officer was asked by underground contact to furnish him with four hand grenades to be passed on through several intermediaries to ultimate destination for use against Generalissimo this weekend. He was of course informed we were not in that business. This request renewed however my fervent hopes that no hotheads will assassinate Trujillo—or at least not before US takes widely publicized action which will convince even most doubtful dissidents USG is in sympathy with termination Trujillo dictatorship and eventual establishment representative government. Principal point for Department be aware of this connection is assassination plotters are increasingly active and period of relative quiescence is over for time being at least. No organized uprising in sight but ambush of Trujillo considerably more likely than month ago.

Dearborn
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 739.00/1-461. Confidential; Priority.