File No. 837.00/1348
The Secretary of State to Minister Gonzales
Washington, May 15, 1917, 3 p.m.
Your May 13, noon. War Department is prepared to send a military expedition to Cuba of a size adequate to take care of the situation. The Department regards the situation in connection with the production of sugar so necessary to the United States and the Allied rowers, as extremely serious. You are therefore instructed to present this matter again to General Menocal and to use your influence with him to induce him to agree to the sending to Guantanamo of a force of American troops in order to protect sugar production, which must not be interrupted.
[Page 407]These troops should be ostensibly sent to Guantanamo for purposes of training and could be in readiness to give protection to property and to enforce the proclamation of this Government.
In bringing this matter to President Menocal’s attention you may say to him that this Government has every confidence in his ability to cope with the situation in Oriente Province, but that in view of the fact that so much depends upon a supply of sugar for the United States and for the Allies it desires to aid him in bringing peaceful conditions at the earliest moment to Cuba, and therefore it wants to cooperate with him.
You may also suggest to him that this action on the part of the United States would merely show the position which this Government has taken towards him and his Administration.
Report immediately by cable. Very urgent.