Ciudad Trujillo, December 15, 1958 - 4 p.m.

225. Embtel 222 [2] and Department Circular telegram 751.[3] On subject of Cuba which I mentioned during meeting today with Generalissimo, President, Vice President and Foreign Minister, Generalissimo stated he believed it imperative US should support constitutional Government of Cuba as only means preventing take over by Castro. He stated that the information he had conveyed to me months ago has been proven correct and it now should be well recognized that Castro has among his chief Lieutenants known Communists and is receiving financial support from Soviet Union. He added that a recent rumor reflected that Soviet Union has assisted Castro to extent $9 million. He indicated it was not too late to save what otherwise would be debacle but US must act promptly, adding that if for any reason US wished pass this aid indirectly GODR would be glad to act as conduit.

Comment: Confidential informants advise me Cuban situation is of extreme concern to GODR and that Castro's avowed intention of turning next on Dominican Republic has served to heighten tension. Also consensus view well informed US businessmen operating in Cuba is that US should assist formation junta and back same to prevent Castro seizing Government which would give rise to Government dominated by Communists. Preferential sugar market represents most effective weapon in US hands.

Farland

NOTES:

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/12-1558. Confidential.

2. In telegram 751, December 11, Ambassador Farland described a conversation with the Dominican Foreign Minister who criticized the U.S. embargo of arms shipments to the Batista government. He claimed that the Castro forces were "thoroughly infiltrated with militant Communists" and were receiving support from the "international Communist movement." The U.S. arms embargo had forced the Dominican Government into the position of "supplying small arms" to the Batista government, not only because of its interest in the Cuban Government but also because of the larger picture of the Communist effort in the Caribbean. (Ibid., 737.00/12-1158)

3. Document 172.