File No. 837.00/1240
[Untitled]
Habana, March 19, 1917—4 p.m.
Received wireless this morning from naval commander at Guantanamo saying rebels declined to attend conference on war vessel because armistice granted for that purpose did not include whole province. I saw the President in regard to proposal. He said, and [Page 386] I have transmitted reply, that new request is along lines policy of Ferrara to involve his country and the United States into entering pact with the rebels against which both declared opposition; that Government held every important point in province except Guantanamo; that threats of destruction were similar to those made when attempting to prevent federal troops landing at Santiago; that instead of attacking Santiago as threatened half of deserters from the army in reach of city had surrendered. He considered armistice over province would place Government at a disadvantage and did not consider extreme apprehension warranted. At the same time he expressed a wish that marines be landed at Daiquiri and other threatened points on the coast between Santiago and Guantanamo.
The President said that if naval commander is satisfied armistice agreed to would not be taken advantage of for conference he was ready to advance on Guantanamo.
I added personal belief that a vigorous declaration along lines made by Department weeks ago to the effect that rebels would be held strictly accountable for American life and property if now made to those declaring themselves prepared to become murderous and destructive bandits would have marked effect. To treat as belligerents men who will not fight but threaten to murder unarmed Americans would be a grave mistake.