Havana, March 12, 1958 - 11 a.m.

525. For Rubottom. Guell visited residence last night for preparatory exchange of views before my meeting with Batista. Guell advised

(A) Situation in Cuba very serious.

(B) Batista believes it will be necessary again suspend constitutional guarantees to preserve order until GOC can hold honest elections.

(C) Batista had advanced elections to June 1 at request of opposition and he is now prepared to postpone elections at request of opposition.

I told Guell

(A) US earnestly hopes for peaceful solution.

(B) US would be disappointed to hear that guarantees may again be suspended.

(C) US foreign policy is one of strict non-intervention and we will continue to adhere to that policy.

(D) US press will probably criticize GOC strongly for again taking such action.

I asked if GOC before suspending guarantees would discuss this step with new Committee of Bishops now planned (Embtel 524 [2]) Guell said GOC welcomed efforts of church to obtain peaceful settlement. However he said there exist discord and differences of opinion within church ranks. GOC believes Accion Catolica, JOC and other segments of church are anti-Batista.

Meeting ended with understanding that I would advise Department fully of our conversation and be prepared to inform Batista of Washington's reaction.

After Castro refused to meet with Harmony Commission members resigned (Embtel 523[3]). Am reliably informed church is going ahead with plans to appoint Committee of Bishops (Embtel 524).

Situation in Cuba critical. Fear is spreading rapidly. It is my recommendation that I inform Batista

(A) US Government will not intervene or inject itself in affairs of Cuba.

(B) We are most anxious for a peaceful solution.

(C) We hope that Batista will explore every possibility of a peaceful solution before again suspending guarantees.

If new Committee of Bishops is formed, we believe it will have to obtain the full confidence and support of all peaceful non-revolutionary groups and should concentrate on obtaining such support.

Smith

NOTES:

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/3-1258. Secret; Niact.

2. Supra.

3. Dated March 10, not printed. (Department of State, Central Files, 737.00/3-1058)

4. In telegram 528, March 12, Smith informed the Department as follows: "Guell has informed me that the government will suspend constitutional guarantees, probably this eve, and that it will announce at the same time the postponement of elections, but that honest elections will be held at a later date." (Ibid., 737.00/3-1258)