File No. 837.00/1270
Minister Gonzales to
the Secretary of State
No. 428
American Legation,
Habana,
March 23, 1917.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit in duplicate
a communication dated March 20 from the commanding officer of the U. S.
S. Eagle to the Secretary of the Navy, via
American Minister, Habana. Attached to the first copy are a memorandum
signed by several rebel officers who conferred with an officer of the
Eagle at Manati, and two petitions for
protection from American residents of Bartle1 and Galbis.1
The commander of the Eagle states that he “feels
certain that if the United States sees fit to act favorably” on the
request of the rebels, as conveyed in this memorandum, for action by the
United States which would in effect be a recognition of the justice of
the rebellion and admission of the Government’s defeat, “quiet and order
will be quickly restored.” But while apparently urging a course
calculated to quell the immediate disorder, he does not seem to consider
the effect which justification of the rebellion might have on the future
peace of Cuba.
I have communicated to the Foreign Office the requests of the American
citizens resident at Bartle and Galbis for protection.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure]
Commander Hewitt
to the Secretary of the Navy
U. S. S. “Eagle,”
Manati, Cuba,
March 20, 1917.
- 1.
- I forward herewith the declaration signed by the rebel leaders
in this vicinity before Lieut, (j. g.) J. A. Lee, U. S. Navy,
yesterday morning March 19.
- 2.
- I myself conferred with the above-mentioned leaders yesterday
afternoon, and assured them that I would forward their
declaration and do all in my power to assist in reaching an
agreement. I published to them the recent proclamation of
General Menocal.
- 3.
- They are convinced that coercion was being used in this
province before the election due Feb. 20. It is reported to me
reliably by foreign residents that rurales started such a reign
of terror here, beginning about Feb. 1, that many men were
afraid to go to the polls. The leaders assured me most solemnly
that they would stand by the result of any election the fairness
of which was guaranteed by the U. S., and that supervision by
the United States was the only means of obtaining such an
election.
- 4.
- I asked them if they wished a general reelection, or merely
one in the contested districts. They replied that they wished
only an election in the districts of Las Tunas and Las
Villas.
- 5.
- They beg the U. S. to intervene in the interests of justice
and are determined to force an intervention by any means in
their power. They are now respecting life and property but, if
the U. S. does not intervene, they state they intend to start a
wholesale campaign of destruction, and, if that does not avail,
they may even go so far as to threaten the lives of Americans. I
explained to them the gravity of such a course, and told them
most decidedly that the leaders committing, or allowing such
acts, would be held personally responsible. Also that a campaign
of destruction would impoverish their own country. They replied
that they understood that perfectly, but that they were willing
to go to any lengths to obtain a justly elected
Government.
- 6.
- They disclaimed responsibility for lawless acts committed in
this vicinity and assured me that, while awaiting a reply from
my Government, they would do their utmost to protect American
interests. I feel certain that if the U. S. sees fit to act
favorably on their request, quiet and order will quickly be
restored. Otherwise I fear much more property will be destroyed
and the safety of unprotected Americans greatly endangered. The
situation of the women is particularly bad, since the men have
practically no firearms, and they are absolutely unprotected
from the insults and assaults of roving bands of lawless, and
frequently drunken, negroes. They cannot get out, since travel
is dangerous, and frequently impossible for them.
- 7.
- There are no Government troops in the vicinity except at the
Chaparra mills, where report says that there are as many as
3,000. These are inactive and do nothing but guard the Chaparra
property.
- 8.
- I forward herewith the appeal of the Americans in Bartle. I
can do nothing but obtain assurances for their safety, which
Gen. Mendieta has given. An officer has gone there today to
investigate conditions. We may furnish an escort for any one
desiring to come under our protection at Batey.
- 9.
- The manager of the Manati Sugar Company also appeals for more
forces in order to protect his cane fields and railroad bridges.
We can only assure the safety of the mill, and the people at
Batey, as my force is too small for any extensive
operations.
- 10.
- An early reply to the proposition of the rebel leaders is most
desirable. The sending power of our radio is low, but any
message sent broadcast from Key West, on the schedule for a ship
with single operator, will probably be picked up.
- 11.
- A gentleman has just come in from Galbis with the enclosed
letter which is self-explanatory.
[Subenclosure—Translation]
Statement of Certain Rebel Officers
In the Dumañuecos Ward of the Township of Victoria de las Tunas on
the 19th of March, 1917, the following gentlemen:
General José Irene Muñoz, General Blás Mendieta, Colonel José Grau y
Agüero, Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Martinez Valdivia, Major Felipe
Leyva, Major Manuel Olivet, Captain Ayudante Juan Carrio Garcia,
aide to General Mendieta, and other officers, all belonging to the
invading column of Camagüey, met and made it of record:
That they wish to make it known to the Government of the United
States of America not under the head of military weakness but for
the good of peace, wealth and prosperity in this beloved country of
theirs, that they endorse the declarations that were recorded in the
instruments drawn up in the city of Santiago de Cuba in the presence
of the Admiral of the American Squadron, Mr. Mayo, and also that of
Camagüey and that of Santa Cruz del Sur, Province of Camaguey, on
March 6 of the current year, adding that all their aspirations are
condensed in the following declarations:
Obtain from the Government of the United States of America that
elections will be held in Cuba under the supervision of that
country, in which elections the people of Cuba will be allowed
freely to cast their votes within the most narrow legality and this
being accepted by the Government of the United States obtain under
the guaranty of that nation a total amnesty for every leader,
private and countryman that may have risen under arms, guaranteeing
at the same
[Page 390]
time the free
use of the property of all without their being confiscated or
burdened under any head. The foregoing once achieved the forces that
have risen against the Government of Menocal will lay down their
arms and be the first to guarantee the restoration of order and will
abide by the returns whatever they may be even that of legally
continuing in power President Menocal, for all their cravings may be
summed up in a vehement desire to have justice and legality prevail
in this country whose Constitution has been invaded by the
Government of Menocal, to which all the present events may be
traced.
And in order to make it of record they sign the present instrument in
the presence of J. A. Lee, Lieutenant of the American Navy, whose
ship is anchored in the port of Manatí.
-
José Irene Muñoz
-
Felipe Leyva
-
Manuel Olivet
-
Blas Mendieta
-
José Grau y Agüero
[Illegible.]
