Havana, October 22, 1958 - 5 p.m.

394. Had lengthy conference with Marquez Sterling, PPL Presidential [candidate] in Chancery at his request. He made following interesting comments on his candidacy.

Re 26 of July movement

(A) Between 80% and 85% of 26 July movement are Communists.

(B) Raul and Fidel Castro were pupils of Sterling when he was a professor at Havana University. In Sterling's opinion both Fidel and Raul are mentally unbalanced. When Raul was attending Havana University there was talk that he was homosexual.

(C) That many of lawless element are joining and seeking sanctuary with 26 of July movement.

Re the elections

(A) GOC has guaranteed to Sterling that elections will be honest in all places where 26 of July movement do not have complete control.

(B) That both Sterling and Grau have requested Batista to cancel elections in southern Oriente and 3 of 32 municipalities in Las Villas, where 26 of July movement has complete control. Batista is giving this serious consideration. If done such announcement will only be made day before election.

(C) Sterling believes he will win if elections are honest.

(D) The atmosphere for elections has improved considerably in the last two weeks because of (1) GOC invitation to UN to send observers; (2) Batista's instructions to top officers as reported in Embtel 371.7

(E) That he has campaigned in all provinces except Oriente and has been well received and well treated by army on these appearances.

(F) Sterling believes honest elections can be held under present conditions with constitutional guarantees suspended.

(G) He has on 2 occasions tried to obtain consent of Fidel Castro to participate in elections. This has been definitely refused and Sterling has letter from Castro to that effect.

(H) At meeting of a cell in Havana (attended by PPL senatorial candidate) it was decided that if general strike on October 27 is failure, word will be disseminated for 26 of July movement to support Sterling in general elections.

(I) It has been agreed with GOC that there will be 9-man boards at each polling place. Four will be representatives of four government coalition parties. Majority vote to decide all issues.

(J) Sterling inquired, if elected, if he would receive recognition of US. I said, in my opinion, US would recognize any lawful candidate who is duly elected in free and open election.

(K) Sterling thinks total vote will between 1,600,000 and 1,700,000 out of maximum possible vote of 2,800,000.

(L) That 2,200,00 carnets have been picked up out of maximum of 2,800,000. In reply to my question re GOC having picked up numerous carnets, Sterling said that in Las Villas province more than 100,000 had been returned to individual voters. All carnets have a photo of individual and should provide sufficient insurance against fraudulent vote.

(M) That government candidate Rivero Aguero expects to win elections by carrying Oriente and Havana, plus one small province.

(N) In reply to direct question as to his belief re honesty of coming general elections, Sterling replied that he thought would be honest in provinces of Pinar del Rio, Camaguey and Las Villas.

Smith

NOTES:

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/10-2258. Secret; Priority.

2. In telegram 371, October 19, the Embassy reported that Batista had officially invited the United Nations to send observers to the general elections and had told the chiefs of the armed forces that they must ensure "equal guarantees" for all candidates and parties. (Ibid., 737.00/10-1858)