File No. 837.001M52/25
Minister Gonzales to the Secretary of State
Habana, May 10, 1917—10 p.m.
Official announcement at Palace today of frustration last night of plot blow up President Menocal and American Minister. President had known of conspiracy for twenty days. A sergeant detailed in Palace permitted himself with the consent of the President to be bribed with two thousand dollars place dynamite bomb. Location stipulated for infernal machine’ was in closet directly beneath the President’s desk and time set half past nine last night. Officials [Page 403] infer that as American Minister has transacted business with the President at that desk almost every night for three months from nine to ten o’clock that he was included in the program.
Last night after several postponements the bomb was delivered to the supposed Palace conspirator. It weighed thirteen pounds, was expertly made, charged with dynamite and detonator and had ten minute fuse.
Of five men directly implicated four have been arrested. The President has notified Zayas and several liberal Congressmen believed to have had knowledge of the plot to remain in their homes and not receive visitors.
The President was warned yesterday by a Congressman who knew details of conspiracy.