837.00/1822d
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Cuba (Long)
Sir: Under the requirements of the Cuban Electoral Law the polls will close upon the election day at 3 p.m., throughout the Island. It is understood that the scrutiny by the College Boards of the votes cast should be well advanced by 6 p.m., when the returns by telegraph will begin to be received in Habana. As you are aware, the scrutiny by the College Boards must be completed by midnight of the election day, or stopped and all documents transmitted to the Municipal Boards which will complete the scrutiny.
The Department considers it of the highest importance that the returns be made public by the proper authorities in Habana from time to time as they are received after 3 p.m., on the day of the elections. You will recall the public dissatisfaction which was occasioned and the disturbances which arose by reason of the action taken by the Government in 1916 in ceasing to publish the election returns when the scrutiny was only partially completed.
The Department desires you therefore to call upon President Menocal and inform him of the earnest hope of this Government, in view of its deep interest in the conduct of the Cuban elections, that instructions may be given to the proper authorities, notably the Department of the Interior, to arrange to have the election returns published as they are received by means of posters or flashlights readily accessible to the public. It is particularly desirable that arrangements be made by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs for an official and uninterrupted telegraph service so that the returns may be received without delay. The Department would be glad to have you receive assurances from President Menocal that such measures have already been taken, and that arrangements have likewise been made for the publication of the telegraphic returns to the end that the public desire for information will be met, and that there will be no interruption of this publicity or any withholding of despatches, such as took place in 1916.
In conclusion, the Department feels it highly desirable that an official announcement be made by the Secretary of the Interior or by the Central Electoral Board advising the public that the arrangements above indicated have been perfected. The Department desires that you inform it as soon as possible whether the President has already taken, or is willing to give you assurances that he will take, the measures above suggested.
I am [etc.]
Under Secretary of State