File No. 837.00/1326
Minister Gonzales to the Secretary of State
Habana, April 29, 1917, midnight.
Report from Consul at Caimanera (in your April 25, 5 p.m.) as well as later report received from naval station. As to large well-armed body rebels threatening Guantanamo City in direct conflict with telegraphic reports from military commanders to Cuban Government. With every sugar mill grinding and railroad operating in Manzanillo district and perfect order in Santiago, Government is at a loss to understand designation of conditions as deplorable. Strength of Government forces in Oriente is not known at Caimanera. Naval officers report changed attitude of rebels toward Americans. This is true but to attribute this to German influence is in my opinion erroneous. My information, including statement from President of Cuban Railroad and letters to British Minister, is that rebels Oriente confident during first six or eight weeks revolution of friendly attitude American Navy. Latterly they alleged bad faith and word breaking. This logically accounts for change attitude toward Americans.
On statement to me by naval officer just from Santiago that only two mills in province grinding, I requested Government get detailed report by telegraph. They report by name 29 mills grinding, another to begin tomorrow. Three not grinding for lack of personnel; two not grinding account rain and bad roads; one all cane burned six weeks ago.
In the past week 800 reenforcements gone to Oriente. With improved conditions in Camaguey, four to eight hundred more will be sent from there this week but there are rumors of intention of rebels increase activity 20th May, Inauguration Day. Whether credence [Page 401] should be given this rumor is impossible to judge but if 1,000 marines can be spared from Haiti, as I am informed, it would be wise precaution to bring them to Guantanamo Naval Station where they would be quickly available for protection iron mines and railroads from mines to ports.