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

HABANA, September 17, 1933 - 1 a.m. [Received 3:42 a.m.]

270. Colonel Mendieta and Dr. Martinet Saenz have jest asked me in behalf of all the groups opposed to the present regime which now include every party except that of the students that they will inform Grau San Martin in their interview Sunday afternoon as follows:

They will accept as Provisional President any impartial Cuban of national reputation provided he is not under the domination of the Student Council; they will agree to recommend men of similar qualifications for Cabinet positions so that the Cabinet will have no political tinge; if a government can be formed in this manner they will support it consistently and actively until a new constitutional government can be inaugurated; they will under no conditions support Gran San Martin nor any government selected by and solely responsive to the Student Council.

I have arranged for an unofficial and private interview with Gran San Martin in the house of a friend early tomorrow morning. At my request Berle has seen him and outstanding members of the Student Council this evening to make entirely plain the fact that the Republic is on the brink of economic, financial and social disaster and that immediate action is imperative if the situation is to be saved.

The members of the original revolutionary junta of five have now come out against Gran San Martin and are insisting upon the necessity of the constitution of a national government to meet the existing grave emergency.

WELLES