The Ambassador in Cuba
(Welles) to the Secretary of State
HABANA, September 19, 1933 - 4 p.m.
[Received 5:55 p.m.]
279. My 277, September 18, midnight. I am informed by one of the persons
present when the reply to the leaders of the political groups was read
to Grau San Martín and to the members of the Student Council that
after considerable discussion Grau San Martín announced his intention
of presenting his resignation to the Army and to the students and not to
the groups opposed to his regime but that he intended in any event to resign
his office. As he started to rise from his chair to end the conference,
Escalona, one of the leaders of the students who was standing behind him
forced him back into his chair by physical force and told him that he was
going to remain President as long as the students desired him to whether
he himself wished to or not. Varona, another of the student leaders, was
so incensed by Grau San Martín's statement that he showed his displeasure
by breaking several pieces of furniture in the room where they were sitting.
Theses incidents are merely indicative of the manner in which the government
in conducted.
At dawn this morning Colonel Juan Blas Hernandez, the revolutionary
leader who Machado was never able to suppress, commenced a revolution near
the town of Morón in Camaguey Province. He is accompanied by about
300 men none of whom are well armed. Batista sent immediately a special
car of soldiers and students to that region in attempt to intercept Blas
Hernandez. A further revolutionary movement is imminent in the city of
Santa Clara.
Grau San Martín and the Student Council are now in conference
drafting their reply to the ultimatum presented by the political leaders
last night. I learn on good authority that approximately half of the student
leaders are in favor of accepting the compromise suggested but that it
would seem probable that the more radical among the students will prevent
this saner opinion from making itself effective.
WELLES