825.00/667: Telegram

The Ambassador in Chile ( Culbertson ) to the Acting Secretary of State

72. Garcesgana Cabinet has resigned. Demonstrations largely by students have continued throughout the day and tonight the streets are filled with milling crowds which are dispersed from time to time by police on foot and horseback. Attack is expected on 2000 students now in possession of University of Chile. I was appealed to by students but declined to take any action and so informed the Foreign Office. It would appear that the old cabinet was unwilling to adopt repressive measures deemed necessary by Ibañez to maintain order. Cable companies received written instructions not to accept any press messages on the situation. Band reports from Antofagasta that attempted mass meeting called this afternoon by local labor unions to express adherence to the students’ labor movement Santiago suppressed by authorities without disorders.

Culbertson