839.00/6–2744: Airgram
The Ambassador in the Dominican Republic (Briggs) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 31 (July 1) 2 p.m.]
A–297. An extensive underground revolutionary movement has been uncovered by the Dominican Government and during the past few weeks strong repressive measures have been taken, including, I am informed on good authority, the killing of several persons suspected.
The movement was organized along Communist lines by the Spanish Communist groups in this country and is in touch with the Dominican Revolutionary Party abroad, particularly the Habana branch. It has found fertile soil in the deep dissatisfaction of broad sectors of the Dominican populace. This dissatisfaction, although a natural result of the oppressive nature of the Government, is based specifically on the widespread hunger caused by the drought and by the monopolistic economic policies and practices of the administration. Furthermore, unrest has been fomented by the suffocation of private enterprise and the fact that little opportunity is offered Dominicans unwilling or unable to curry favor with the administration in one way or another.
The underground movement includes divergent elements of the population which have been brought together at recreational, social, literary and other front organizations throughout the country. At Ciudad Trujillo, 4000 persons, including 500 university students, are reliably reported as having been paying dues to the Centro Español Democrático, Spanish Communist front organization. The Spanish Communists established the framework of the secret movement, including such details as the constitution and by-laws of the various front organizations.
The movement is said to have penetrated into high government circles and to include some of the President’s advisers, one of whom is reported to be its secret leader. This may account for the reluctance in the past of the Dominican authorities and President Trujillo [Page 1014] to take Communist activities in the Dominican Republic seriously. The movement is also said to have infiltrated into the lower ranks of the Army. Labor elements are implicated but their exact relationship to other groups is not yet clear.
It is not possible at this point to gauge the exact ramifications and extent of the movement. From the character of the reports received, however, it would appear that it is widely diffused and that it does constitute a potential danger to the stability of the present regime. One of the leaders of the movement in Santiago is quoted as having said that he could count on 10,000 Dominican Communist sympathizers in that city. This, however, is probably a wide exaggeration.
When the Dominican Government finally awakened a few weeks ago to the existence in the Republic of such an organization, it took swift drastic action. All the known Spanish Communist leaders were taken to prison for questioning and informed that they must leave the Dominican Republic forthwith and that the Dominican authorities would assist them in arranging documentation and providing travel expenses. As has already been reported (please see despatch no. 32 of June 17, 19441), Spanish Communists are leaving the country, particularly to Mexico, as fast as transportation is available.
Simultaneously, many Dominicans known to be associated with the so-called Communist movement were questioned and received varying treatment in accordance with the believed degree of culpability, including third degree and killing. In two instances in this city, the bodies were returned to the families for burial. Whereas it is reported that during the past few weeks, several persons have been killed, including at least one enlisted member of the Dominican Army accused of participation in the movement, it is reported that repression in the provinces has been and is being conducted on a wider scale. Up to the present, the Embassy has not received any reliable report of students being killed for their participation in Communist activities but it is known that some of them have been taken to La Fortaleza in this city and manhandled by soldiers.
It is further reported that although President Trujillo is now taking severe measures to suppress this so-called Communist movement, he is not yet fully aware of its true extent and dimensions. His advisers, however, have in the past 2 months recommended an intensification of social welfare, agricultural and labor improvement measures. An unemployment law was promulgated on June 6 and an old minimum salary law was amended on June 21. In order to alleviate the critical food problem of the poor, cheap dining rooms have been opened at Ciudad Trujillo and many other cities and towns. The administration is devoting much space in the (controlled) press to stressing impending benefits from its agrarian program.
[Page 1015]Trujillo’s present preoccupation and repressive measures are doubtless not disconnected from concern over recent political disturbances in other countries, notably El Salvador, Ecuador, Cuba and currently in Guatemala. At all events, my associates in the Embassy are of the opinion that the movement described represents the greatest potential threat to Trujillo in several years. While his position at this writing appears to remain secure, the foregoing will serve as background information in the event of further developments in the movement against him.
- Not printed.↩