SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARINGS RE: COMMUNIST THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00965R000200030001-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 55
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 7, 2002
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 30, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

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COMMUNIST THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES
THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
HEARINGS
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE INTERNAL SECURITY
ACT AND OTHER INTERNAL SECURITY LAWS
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
UNITED STATES SENATE
EIGHTY-SIXTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
PART 9
AUGUST 27, 30, 1960
Printed for the use of the Committee on the Judiciary
0
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1960
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COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
JAMES 0. EASTLAND, Mlssls.ippl, Chairman
ESTES KEFAUVE it. Tenets e ALEXANDER WILEY, Wisconsin
OLIN D. JOHNSTON, South Carolina EVERETT McKINLEY DIRKSEN, Illinois
THOMAS C. HEN':INOS, JR., Missouri ROMAN L. HRIi$KA, Nebraska
JOHN L. McCLEL..AN, Arkansas KENNETH P. KEATINO, New York
JOSEPH C. O'MAI ONEY, Wyoming NORRIS COTTON, Now Hampshiro
SAM J. ERVIN, JR,. North Carolina
JOAN A. CARROLI,, Colorado
THOMAS J. DODI', Connecticut
PHILIP A. HART, Michigan
SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE TILE ADMINISTRATION OF THE INTERNAT. SECURITY
AOT AND OTIIERINTERNAL SECURITY LAWS
JAMES 0. EASTI.AND, Mississippi, Chairman
THOMAS J. DODD, Connecticut, Vice Chairman
OLIN D. JOHNSTON, South Carolina ROMAN L. IIRUSKA, Nebraska
JOHN J. McCLEL-.AN, Arkansas EVERETT McKINLEY DIRKSEN, Illinois
SAM] J. ERVIN, Jr., North Carolina KENNETII B. REATINO, New York
NORRIS COTTON, New Hampshire
J. 0. SOURWDtF, Counaei
BENJAMIN MAI,DEL, DNrcdor of Research
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CONTENTS
Testimony of-
Page
Arthur Gardner-----------------------------------------------
663
Earl E. T. Smith----------------------------------------------
681
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COMMUNIST THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES
THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
AUGUST 27, 1960
U.S. SENATE,
SUBCOMMIrrnE TO INVESTIGATE TIIE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE INTERNAL SECURITY ACT
AND OTHER INTERNAL SECURITY LAWS,
OF TIIE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY,
Watch Hill, R.I.
The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 5 :40 p.m., at the home
of Arthur Gardner, Watch Hill, R.I., Senator Thomas J. Dodd
presiding.
Senator DODD. Let the record show this is a hearing taking place
at the home of Mr. Arthur Gardner, Watch Hill, R.I.
I should say to you, Mr. Gardner, that the purpose of our inquiry
is to help us to determine whether or not there is any need for remedial
legislation.
We of the Internal Security Subcommittee of the Judiciary Com-
mittee are under a mandate from the U.S. Senate to concern our-
selves with this type of problem.
Now, Mr. Gardner, I will have to ask you to stand and be sworn.
Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear the testimony you
will give at this hearing will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?
Mr. GARDNER. I do.
TESTIMONY OF ARTHUR GARDNER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
OF BUNDY TUBING CO.
Senator DODD. Mr. Gardner, would you state your full name, your
address, and your business and profession?
Mr. GARDNER. Arthur Gardner. My business is chairman of the
board of Bundy Tubing Co., which is in Detroit, but I live in
Washington.
Senator DODD. What is your legal address?
Mr. GARDNER. You want the home address or the office?
Senator DODD. Your legal address, where you have your residence.
Mr. GARDNER. Well, that is 2111 30th Street, NW.
Senator DODD. Washington, D.C. ?
Mr. GARDNER. D.C.
Senator DODD. Mr. Gardner, have you held any positions with the
U.S. Government?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes.
Senator DODD. Would you tell us what they have been, please?
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664 COMMUNIST. THREAT TO U.S. THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
Mr. GARDNER. `.:`'he first was-you mean-now, let me get this
straight. I was in the Army in World War I. Is that interesting?
Senator DODD. Y CS.
Mr. GARDNER. And then in World War IT, I went to the War Pro-
duction Board as, a dollar-a-year man. After I left that, I was
assistant to the S(eretary of the Treasury, John Snyder, And then
I was appointed Ar nbassa(tor.
Senator DODD. When were you appointed Ambassador?
Mr. GARDN-En. 1')53.
Senator DODD. 1953?
Mr. GARDNER. 'That isright.
Senator DODD. You werein World War IT, I believe, Mr. Gardner.
Mr. GaRDNER. That is right.. Well, I was in this particular po-
aarion, the War Production Board, because they thought I was too old
to be in the thing t knew most about, which is the Tank Corps.
Senator DODD. Anl I right. in understanding that, you held the rank
of major in tlteU.;S. Army?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I would. have been-I was captain. And then
the war ended.
Senator Donn. Did you serve in the Army close to General Eisen-
hower ?
fr. GmiDNF.R. \To; I used Lo go up to Gettysburg, where he was
then Major Eisenhower, in command of the camp at Gettysburg.
Senator Donn. T see. Now, Mr. Gardner, you say you were ap-
pointed, as we kn;)v, Ambassador to Cuba, in 1953. Would you tell
ns briefly but con: isely and adequately, what were the. economic Con-
ditions in Cuba wten you went there, in 1953?
:fir. GARDNER. '('t'ell, they had started to boom. And during the
course of the t.inw that T was there the economy rose tremendously.
The building hoc an was sensational. If you had been in Iliavana 10
years earlier, as t had, and (lien saw it. the day I left, you wouldn't
recognize the cit.3
It. was due to circumstances. But I think that the real reason for
it. was the feeling of definite security that the Cubans themselves had,
'polit.ieally perha-as not, but finamially, yes. And they felt. that the
tine ltad finally come when they could begin investing money in Cuba,
rather than putting their money, as they had in previous years, in
banks in Swit.ze 'land and New York. When I left there., it was
astonishing to say the improvement, and so far as I was concerned
in the. entire tinitt I was there I never heard anybody use the word
"Gringo," or say "get out of-Yanqui get out," or anything like that.
Senator Dunn. Mr. Gardner, you have been quoted as referring to
Cuba as the show.w?indow of Latin kmerica.
Mr. GARD:'^EFR. T believe that.
Senator D ODD. Would you tell us what you mean by that?
Mr. G.ARDNER. Because the relationship was so close between Cuba
and the United States, we having obtained their independence for
them, and basicrlly we have always given them that preferential on
sugar. It. made the country feel that. the bond between us was
stronger than. anybody else. 1n addition to the fact, that it was only 90
miles from Key West. And I think that the majority of Cubans felt
that this was th:: one place that they could look to for comfort. and
support. So tht t in my opinion, the other countries of the Caribbean,
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in fact almost all of Latin America, always expected to see us treating
Cuba and working with Cuba closer than anybody else. And that is
the reason I coined the expression, which has been used a great deal.
Senator Done. Mr. Gardner, you have said in a newpaper interview
that the United States was "just 2 years late" in acknowledging that
Cuba under Castro is more of a police state than it was under Batista.
Will you explain this for us, and perhaps expand on it, if you can?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, during the time that I was there, the last year,
Castro had landed, and was hiding in the hills. And there had been
an endless number of shipments of arms and other things to Castro,
which could only come from the United States. Every once in a while
we were able to catch such a shipment, and stop it. But we were not
very active about it. And one factor which I think was one of the most
-erious was that the former President, named Prio, was living in
Miami. I don't know whether you know this or not, but he was
arrested, convicted, and paid a fine of $5,000 for gunrunning. And
he was also indicted a second time. And yet no action was ever taken
on it. My personal reason for thinking it was serious was that many
times Batista would send for me and ask me why this was. I don't
know whether I have gotten off the track there, but that is my answer.
The 2 years were 2 years of gradually making Batista feel we were
pulling the rug out from under him.
Senator Donn. Yes.
Mr. Gardner, when did you first have doubt about Castro, do you
remember?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I saw a manifesto that he had printed in
Mexico, which stated his principles, what he was going to do. He was
going to take over the American industries, he was going to national-
ize everything. I mean I don't remember the words of this particular
manifesto. I have a copy of it in Washington. That, to me, meant
only one thing, that this man was a radical. I couldn't tell you how
much of a radical.
Senator Donn. Did you once see a picture of Castro with a tele-
scopic rifle, boasting that he could kill a man at a thousand
Mr. GARDNER. I heard somebody tell me that. I never saw a photo-
graph of it.
Senator Donn. That had some influence on your judgment of him?
Mr. GARDNER. Very definitely.
Senator DODD. Mr. Gardner, you have been quoted as saying that
Washington, "pulled the rug out" from under Batista. Is this a
correct quote, and, if so, what did you mean by that?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes, I think it is a correct quote, I mean that Batista
had always leaned toward the United States. I don't think we ever
had a better friend. It was regrettable, like all South Americans, that
he was known-al though I had no absolute knowledge of it-to be get-
ting a cut, I think is the word for it, in almost all the things that were
done. But, on the other hand, he was doing an amazing job, and I
will give you a specific example.
Former presidents had built roads, and they put cement on the
sand, and he made them put rock ballast in. Z''he other people were
doing it because each year they could build a new road, and get their
cut. But everything we did, from the time I went there, I think en-
couraged Batista. Then just at the end he began to get extremely
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worried about this development. Ile had made rather insignificant
efforts to send troops down to get Castro, but fighting in the moun-
tains was not -v,% hat. the Cuban troops were ever taught. So that, when
we talk about pulling out the rug, I mean there are a number of
factors that occurred repeatedly which showed that the State Depart-
ment did not, want to have anything to do with Batista.
Senator DOD). Well, would you sa.y that these things that occurred
also showed thet the State Department. was anxious to replace Batista
with Castro?
Mr. G aRDNEI . I think they were.
Senator Dona. 'Mr. Gardner, you have been quoted as saying that
while you wen. Ainba-isador to Cuba in 1953 to 1957, you fought all
the time with the State Department over whether Castro merited the
support or fr r ndsliilp of the United States. Would you ex Main this
for us, and tin n perhaps more fully develop it., if you can.
Mr. GARDNE . Well, it. wasn't it question of my officially writing let-
ters, but in my conversations, in m, everyday contact with the State
De jlartrnent, I always stressed this point-that I felt. that Batista
had proved a great friend to this country, and his administration
had roved a great ability to develop the country itself, and develop
the friendship with ui. And I feel it very strongly, that the State
Department. -%v 'is influenced, first, by those stories bye Herbert Mat-
thews, and th4sn it became. kind of a fetish with them. I mean I
don't care about it myself, although most ambassadors are asked to
come and be debriefed, but they- never asked me. So the only time
I ever was able to get into the. State Department was making special
apppointments, and that was only done after-maybe a year after I
had actually re;igned.
Senator b0 n. Would it. be accurate to say, Mr. Gardner, that you
felt that you Y-cre to some extent ignored?
Mr. GARDNEI Yes.
Senator Dona. When would you say drat this
Mr. GATWWNEJ . I think I was---
Senator Doi D. Let me complete my question please. When would
you say you fir st had (lie feeling that you were being ignored or over-
looked?
Mr. GABDNHR. Well, right away, when I got back. It is rather
petty, and I would like not to have it go--can I hold this up and tell
you and see whether you think it is of any importance?
Senator Doi 'D. Will, why don't. we suspend, go off the record for
a minute.
(Discussion aff the record.)
Mr. GARDNER. RTell, I think just that I wasn't asked to be de-
briefed is about as conclusive as anything, because if I in my
business -
Senator Doi=n. Is it fair to say, Mr. Gardner, that the way that you
were treated on the occasion of your visit to the State Department
made you feel that you were being ignored and overlooked and cir-
cumvented?
Mr. GARDNEZ. Yes, that is right.
Senator Dorn. Mr. Gardner, are you able to tell us who particularly
you talked will in the State Department at this particular time?
Mr. GARDNHI. Well, I went to see Secretary Murphy, who has now
resigned.
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COMMUNIST THREAT TO, U.S. THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN 667
Senator DODD. Robert Murphy?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes.
Senator DODD. Anyone else?
Mr. GARDNER. I had one conversation with Christian Herter, in
which I recommended that in order to help him, and help the Cuban
picture, and also help the Latin American desk, as they call it, that
he should get somebody with the practical know-how, somebody, with
experience. I mentioned three or four men. One of them was :the
vice president of the American Foreign Power. He spent his whole
life in countries in Latin America. I mean I mentioned the names
of people. And he said, "Well, that sounds very interesting." But
he never called me in to do anything about it.
Senator DODD. Besides Robert Murphy, and. Christian Herter.
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I talked to Loy Henderson.
Senator DODD. Mr. Rubottom?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes, I talked to Rubottom. But he was not at all
interested.
Senator DODD. You mean by that he was not interested in your
views in the situation?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes. He is a nice chap, and means well, and I have
nothing but high regard for him personally, but I think he was en-
tirely off on the wrong track, and it has been proved. Without
putting it down, let me just explain what I mean.
(Discussion off the record.)
Senator DODD. Did you discuss this situation-by this situation I
mean the Castro-Batista situation, with Robert'Murphy?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes.
Senator DODD. And what did you find his reaction to be?
Mr. GARDNER. I found he was so badly advised. We had a pleasant
talk, but got nowhere. He had an idea that Batista was a gorilla.
Senator DODD. Did he think favorably of Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. No. But he felt so strongly against .Batista, that
anybody would have been better, I imagine, is the way he would
put it.
Senator DODD. I see. During these conversations with these several
persons whom you have named, did you, from time to time, tell any
one of them, or all of them, that Castro talked and acted like a Com-
munist, and should not be supported by the United States?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes. But the purpose of these conversations always
seemed to be was whether Castro carried a Communist card or not.
We all knew-I think everybody knew--that his brother, Raul, was
a Communist. But they seemed to argue about it as if that was
important.
Senator DODD. You mean the technicality of party membership was
made a matter of importance rather than his general attitude?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes, that is right.
Senator DODD. I understand.
Mr. Gardner, can you tell us again specifically, if you remember,
did you say this to Mr. Murphy, and to Mr. Rubottom, and to
Mr. Herter, or to anyone else?
Mr. GARDNER. No, I didn't say it to Herter.
Senator DODD. Did you say it to Rubottom?
Mr. GARDNER. In a nice way-yes, I said it to Rubottom. And I
talked.to Loy about it. And Murphy, I did talk to him about it.. 'I
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don't remember the conversation, but that was my reason for going
to see him.
Senator Donn. But you generally did discuss this matter?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes, that. is right.
Senator DODD. And you gave him this warning?
Mr. GARDNEn. That is right.
Senator DODD. And you felt, T take it, from your testimony, that
you got no intere.;t., no encouragement?
Mr. GARDNER. No.
Senator DODD. And no reaction which would indicate that these men
agreed with you!
Mr. GARr Nom. Nothing but a negative.
Senator DODD.. You have been quoted, Mr. Gardner, as referring to
"Castro worship" in the, State Department in 1957. 'What did you
mean by this?
Air. GARDNER. Well, did you read the article that Matthews wrote,
after lie went up in (lie hills and saw him?
Senator Dona. Yes.
Mr. GARDNER. He wrote a Richard Harding Davis typo of article,
and he made Castro appear to be a Robin Hood, a savior for the coun-
try.
Senator DODD. Yes. But _Mr. Herbert tilatthews wasn't in the State
Department..
Air. GARDNER. No, but he was actually-lie briefed Earl Smith
Senator DODD. Your successor as Ambassador to Cuba was briefed
by Herbert Matt `news?
Air. GARDNER. Yes, that is right.
Senator DODD. Well, before we get,into that, let me ask you if ou
know of anything else, or anyone else in the State Department., at goat
time- (lint. is in 1957-which made you feel that (here was a cult of
Castro worship, is you have, put it. v
Air. GARDNER. Well, that may not be the right word, Senator. I
meant by that that they built him. up to being the. Robin Hood or the
savior of the country.
Senator DODD. Now, who do you mean by "they"?
Air. GARDNER. I mean the people in the State Department., and I
think 90 percew. of the people in this country thought, thnt. Castro
was---
Senator DODD. I know. But we are trying to get here a record
that: we can pin down, in whicli we can pin down our information.
When you say, "they," are you referring again to the Messrs. Murphy
and Rubottom, TIenderson, Herter, or who are you referring to?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, now, Herter wasn't a party. I never told
Herter anythinj:, but made the suggestion about Wien that could help
him.
Senator DnDD. I see.
Air. GARDNER. The other men-I mean T always found completely
deaf to anything I had to say about it.
Senator DODD Mr. Gardner, it has been said that there was a plot
by the Castro fo:,ces to kidnap you. Do you know anything about this,
and if you do could you tell us about it?
Mr. GARDNER., Yes, sure. The last 3 months, somebody in-I don't
know whether it was FBI or not., but that is what they said down
there-- -I mean t'iat was conversation-told our security people at the
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COMMUNIST THREAT TO U.S. THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN 669
Embassy that he had this plot to kidnap and hold for some sort of a
ransom, such as recognition of Castro, all top officers, and me par-
ticularly, on the top floor of the chancellery. The place is right on the
Malacon. And then if attention wasn't paid to this, they were going
to drop off one man after the other, from the balcony. I thought it was
perfectly ridiculous. But the State Department, the Security De-
partment, insisted upon my having a Marine sleep next to me every
night, and go wherever we went. And we were followed whenever
we went out on any kind of a trip, to go to dinner, or do anything, by
a police car, with four policemen with tommyguns. It was perfectly
ridiculous. They had devices to listen whether I was breathing in
there. It was a comedy of the world, but you couldn't help it. They
thought it was serious.
Senator DODD. This is approximately when, what year?
Mr. GARDNER. This is in 1957.
Senator DODD. Mr. Gardner, we have talked about Mr. Roy R. Ru-
bottom, Jr., who, by the way, was replaced as Assistant Secretary of
State for Latin American Affairs on July 30, and who, incidentally, is
scheduled to go to Argentina as our Ambassador.
Mr. GARDNER. I understand that he has just been approved, which
is astonishing to me.
Senator DODD. I don't know he has been.
Mr. GARDNER. It was in the paper.
Senator DODD. I think it was committee approval.. I don't
think
Mr. GARDNER. I think that is the most remarkable thing I ever
heard.
Senator DODD. Well, Mr. Gardner, if you know, can you tell us any-
thing about Rubottom's background, or what competence he has or had
for the positions which he has occupied in the State Department?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I understand that he left the Navy, and was a
third secretary, or something of the sort, in Madrid. For a very short
time, he was in one of the Latin American countries. And then he
came to Washington, and was assistant-or I don't know what par-
ticular rank he had-in the Latin American Department. Why they
put him in, I will never know. In the first place, he was in the process
of learning Spanish. In the second place, I felt he had absolutely no
background of experience.
Senator DODD. When you say he was in the process of learning
Spanish, you mean while he was Assistant Secretary for Latin Ameri-
can affairs?
Mr. GARDNER. I think he probably started before. But during the
time he was, he did learn it.
Senator DODD. Yes. Was he a protege of Dr. Milton Eisenhower?
Mr. GARDNER. That I never knew. I have read it in the paper. I
can't understand it if he is.
Senator DODD. While you were the Ambassador to Cuba, Mr. Ru-
bottom was the Assistant Secretary for Latin American Affairs, was
he not?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes, just the last year. I think it was just the last
year.
Senator DODD. And prior to last year, do you remember what his
job was in the State Department?
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Mr. GARDNER. Ile was an assistant of some sort in the Latin Ameri-
can Division.
Senator DODD. Do you know what his attitude was toward Castro?
Mr. GARD.~CER. Well, he was a funny fellow. We talked with him.
He came down to stay in. Cuba with us. And both my wife and I
had long, long talks with him. And we would ask him questions,
whether lie din't agree with us, and lie would never answer. So I
don't know.
Senator Donn. ==)o you know, Mr. Gardner, whether or not it was
Mr. Rubottour who was principally responsible for arranging Castro's
visit to the United States in April of 1958?
Mr. GARDNER. I don't know who did that. I think he must have
given his consent t 1 it.
Senator DODD, Certainly lie was the Under Secretary, or Assistant
Secretary for Lati i American Affairs.
Mr. G.1RDNmlt. That is right.. IIe must have..
Senator DODD..ts it fair to assume that lie certainly favored the
visit?
Mr. GARDNER. Oh, well, he favored Castro. There is no question
about it..
Senator I)ODD. = sec. You remember, Mr. Gardner, that the State
Department announced Iwblicly that Castro would be welcomed as a
distinguished Ieadisr, and would be given an official security guard if
necessary, even though his visit was unofficial. Do you remember this?
Mr. G.ARD ER. '\ cry well.
Senator DODD. =tfr. Gardner, did you protest this announcement at
the time?
Mr. GARnNER. No, except to my friends. I didn't go to the Depart-
ment.
Senator DODD.: take it because by that time you were rather dis-
couraged.
Mr. GARDNER. I was worn out.
Senator DODD. 3y your efforts to get sonic kind of attention in the
State Depart ment
Mfr. G.sRDNER. -fit got so bad that my wife, got worried because I
couldn't sleep nights worrying about the ])inure as it developed.
Senator DODD. `)o you know a Mr. Thomas Mann, who is scheduled
to replace Mr. Rullottoin?
MZr. GARDNER. Ihave never met him.
Senator DODD. So you do not know his attitude with respect to
Cuba?
:fir. GSRDNEr:. NO.
Senator DoDD. t think it was reported that you have stated on at
least one occasior that in your opinion the U.S. Govcrrunent needs
a strong nurn with a thorough understanding of Latin American
affairs in the State Department.
Mr. GARDNER. "hat is right.
Senator DODD. Well, is it fair to say that this means you do not
think we have suc'i now?
Mr. GGARDNER. Well, I don't know anybody in there that really
knows-- I know two nien-one of them is now Ambassador to Costa
Rica, and the other is the present Vinbassador to Mexico.
Senator Dune.`tobertlIill---
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Mr. GARDNER. Both those men.
Senator DODD. And the Ambassador to Costa Rica?
Mr. GARDNER. His name is Whitetower.
Senator DODD. Do you know Wieland?
Mr. GARDNER. He was in the Embassy for a very short time.
Senator DODD. He was in your Embassy?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, for a very short time.
Senator DODD. What was his job?
Mr. GARDNER. I think he was in the economics section, but I am
not certain. But I mean-I can tell you-I was very glad to see him
go.
Senator DODD. How long was he there, sir?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, as I remember, it was only a month or 6 weeks.
Senator DODD. And was this in 1957?
Mr. GARDNER. I can't be certain of that. I know, for instance, his
record, because a man named William Pawley, who was Ambassador
to Brazil, had him down there, and got him out. He felt that he was
much too-leaning much too far to the left.
Senator DODD. Do you know what position he had occupied in the
State Department before his assignment to your office?
Mr. GARDNER. No, I never knew anything about him.
Senator DODD. And you don't know what has become of him since?
Mr. GARDNER. No. I think he is one of Ilubottom's assistants. I
know he is, as a matter of fact.
Senator Donn. Ile is still, as far as you know?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes.
Senator DODD. In your opinion, did he play any part in Castro's
rise to power in Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. I think he had a strong influence on Rubottom. But
I haven't any way to prove it.
Senator DODD. I see.
Mr. GARDNER. Just because I know the way he thinks.
Senator DODD. I see. Is it true, or do you know, that shipments of
military equipment to Batista were stopped on the New York docks?
Mr. GARDNER. That is true. A shipment, I only knew of one.
Senator DoDD. A shipment. Is it also true that these shipments
were ordered under a mutual aid pact?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right.
Senator DODD. And that Batista had paid cash for them at that
time?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I can't guarantee he paid cash, but I know he
had the cash to pay for them. And I know that the mutual aid pact,
which represented a contract which we made with many Latin Amer-
ican countries, enabled us to dispose of secondhand military equip-
ment, tanks, guns, and everything else, which we could never use.
And that in return for it, that we set up in each of the countries that
signed this pact an Army, an Air Force, and a Navy commission, let's
call it-I mean men there to train them and get' them to use it.
Senator DODD. Do you know who stopped those shipments, or that
shipment, rather.?
Mr. GARDNER. Only the common gossip, that Rubottom was the
only man who could have stopped it.
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Senator D ODD. I)o you know of any-do you have any information
concerning the shipment of arnis and ammunition from the United
States to Castro?,
Mr. G.iRnx ER. -VelI, those are things that. I mentioned. I said they
were being sent down surreptitiously almost every night. I donut
believe that the Lussians sent them stuff in a submarine. But I knew
these, shipments v`ere being made.
Senator Donn. NO. My question rather was, Do you know whether
anus were shippe`t to Castro from the United States?
Mr. GARDNER. That is what I think-front up and clown the. Keys,
all of Florida, t,-ey were riddled with the-se expeditions.
Senator Donn. From, the United States?
Mr. GARDNER. From the United States.
Senator Donn. So, of course, such shipments were illegal?
:fir. GARDNF.IR. Illegal. And that was time reason they indicted, as
I told you, this fellow trio. And lie paid a fine of $5,000.
Senator Dunn. Mr. Gardner, do you now, do you have au idea
why the. United,States allowed Castro to get arms from the United
States, and would not allow Batista to have, arms to preserve his
government.?
Mr. GARDNER. All I can tell you is that the consensus among my
friends, Cuban iuid otherwise, is that Castro made a howl about Ba-
tista getting the--z arms to kill Cubans. I mean it was a to sided
idea. Castro di'~ln't mind getting them to kill other Cubans, but he
didn't want Batista. But he had the airways, and he was able to tell
people that. 11c, screamed about it.
Senator Donn. Did you ever have any indication prior to Batist.a's
flight from Cub L on December 31, 1058, that the State Department
or State Departii-ent officials knew that this was going to happen?
Mr. GARntisn. I don't think they knew.
Senator I)uou. You don't think they knew? Or at least you hadno
indication?
Mr. GARDNER. I had no way of knowing. It. wouldn't make any
difference, but I know that people from the United States went down
to sec Batista f)r New Year's, close friends, and came back to this
country, and tiny had no idea of when Batista was leaving, or if lie
was leaving.
Senator 1)one You have been quoted as saying, Mr. Gardner, that
you didn't knov` why the United States withheld from Batista help
and support in his effort to carry out a normal election program,
when it could have been given with such superior results from the
American and the Cuban points of view.
I think you have also said Washington just didn't seem to have
the slightest comprehension of the situation.
Could you tell us perhaps in more detail what you meant by that?
Mr. GARD ER Well, I used the expression before that Batista felt
the rug had been pulled out, and that in leaving a proper election, and
with a proper candidate, which is what we had all loped he would
have, that lie h ~d lost all interest, and apparently at that stage was
to leave. I mean lie flgitred tl-ere wasn't any hope for him.
Senator Dow). There was an election in Cuba shortly before
Castro's takeovc::r-Marquez Sterling
Mr. GARD:rr-. No, he wasn't the candidate. If he had been the
candidate, the s='ort' would leave been different..
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Senator DODD. I see. I thought Marquez Sterling was elected.
Mr. GARDNER. No.
Senator DODD. Who was?
Mr. GARDNER. I ca.n't remember his name. Ile was a dummy and
a figurehead and had no prestige whatever. Marquez Sterling had
real prestige in Cuba. And I think he is a man of outstanding char-
acter. That was u great blow to all of us who loved Cuba.
Senator DODD. It has been said that Batista sent a regiment. of
troops to put down the Castro rebellion. Do you know, have you any
idea, why the Batista government was incapable, on the surface, so
it seems, of suppressing this rebellion, of a handful, relatively, of
Castro rebels?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes. There are many reasons.
No. 1, his troops are not trained for mountain fighting. That is
No. 1. No. 2 is that it is like a rabbit running under a cover, or
through a field. I mean you can get up in an airplane, and you could
not see them, or what they were doing. So his air force could never
spot them. And then I think that, thirdly, the troops got so dis-
couraged by the position we had taken about not giving them arms
and so on that they just didn't want to fight. And when that regi-
ment went down, and the colonel was supposed to be the toughest
colonel they had, he didn't want to fight, because he took all the
money that was supposed to feed the soldiers, and they had to bring
them back. It was general demoralization, that they felt that Ba-
tista was finished.
Senator DODD. Was this largely because it was known or felt that
the United States had abandoned Batista and supported Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right.
Senator DODD. And this was rather common knowledge in the mili-
tary and other circles in Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right; everybody. There are a great many
Cubans, I understand, who paid large sums to Castro, thinking that
he was going to make the country over. And now they are the worst
disappointed people in the world, of course.
Senator DODD. Mr. Gardner, do you know about the incident of the
killings at the Haitian Embassy?
Mr. GARDNER. Very Well.
Senator DODD. Would you tell us about that, please?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, there is a code among Latin American coun-
tries, that if you want to seek asylum, all you have to do is to go town
embassy, and the embassy is required-it didn't apply to the United
States, but it applies to other countries-that the embassy will take
the man in and protect him. There were in the Haitian Embassy-
our own people knew it-maybe 8 or 10 of these 26 of July Movement
people, and they were there for a long time. And then somebody got
word to the police that they had been arched, which is against the
code. And the chief of the police, who was a very tough fellow, and
a very courageous man, got a
m ssy group of his men and went up to the
eba, knocked on the door. He in out that the embassy em-
ployees were all out. And he said in a loud voice that he had come
to arrest these men, because they had broken the code. He was shot
right at the door, just killed like a dog. And the police went in and
found the men all armed, and promptly killed them. They called it
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674 COMMIJNIET THREAT TO U.S. THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
a slaughter. There really wasn't any slaughter. It is what any police
would have dons.. They would shoot through the mattress, if the
man was under ;lie mattress. And they got them all. It made a
good deal of a shi inbles of the place.
I never understood this, but Batista not very long afterward had
the whole buildi i refurnished and put in foie shape again. That
was one of the things that I talked particularly to Murphy about,
and he didn't believe me. He didn't believe this would happen. Half
the people don't know that Batista had Castro in jail, and let him
out, dust out of kindness.
Senator DODD. Sometime--
Mr. GARDNER. Yes, previously.
Senator DODD. Mr. Gardner, do you feel that your expressed atti-
tude with regard to Castro had a part in bringing about your replace-
ment as our Amb issador to Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. Senator, I don't know. I only know that I was very
anxious to stay. I felt that if I had stayed it was encouraging to the
Batista regime which \sas through. They had until January. And
when they had i;n election, I felt sure they would have as fair an
election as they could have, and I think Marquez Sterling would have
been the presider t. But. they didn't seem to think that was necessary.
Senator DODD..In any event, you wanted to stay?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes.
Senator DODD. And it was not-
Mr. GARDNEIt. It was a great sacrifice to me, because my wife, who
had ulcers, could t't be with me.
Senator DODD., But you were willing to stay and continue your
work?
Mr. GARDNER. I wanted to stay.
Senator DODD. But you were not allowed to do so ?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right.
Senator DODD. And in any event, t his followed your attitude as ex-
)ressed to high officials of the State Department with respect to
Castro ?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right.
Senator DODD. Now Mr. Gardner, you were succeeded as Ambassa-
dor to Cuba by Antitlt?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right.
Senator DODD. I understand Mr. Smith was an investment broker.
I don't know, an 1 I wonder if you can tell us, what experience he had,
other than this.
Mr. GARDNER. None.
Senator DODD. Did you have any diplomatic experience at all?
Mr. GARDNER. No.
Senator DODD Do you know what arrangements were made for
briefing Mr. Sin tli with i gard to taking over this important position
as Ambassador t Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I imagine he spent., as I did, nearly a month
going through all the departments that had any bearing on Cuba, and
studying and working with them. I imagine lio did that. But as I
told yyou, the fai.tastic thing was that lie was asked to talk to Herbert
Matthews.
Senator DODD. Herbert L. Matthews, of the Now York Times?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right.
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Senator DODD. And he did talk to him?
Mr. GARDNER. He did.
Senator DODD. And that is where he got a lot of his briefing?
Mr. GARDNER. I imagine that is.
Senator DODD. Do you know, Mr. Gardner, what position Mr. Smith
took with respect to Castro after he replaced you as the Ambassador
to Cuba ?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I think Earl made a very unfortunate start.
Senator DODD. A very 'GARDNER. Unfortunate start. I wouldn't, and I didn't think
he would, ever go down near where Castro was which is the Santiago
de 'Cuba, it is right down in the foothills of tiie mountains. But he
did go down. And they put on a professional parade for him-the
women all in black, supposedly the widows and so on of Castro people
that had been killed or murdered, or whatever they talked about.
And, unfortunately, the police, in order to break up this meeting, used
a hose on them. The result was that he, Smith, said that in his
country nothing like that would ever happen, we never treat them
that way, an oratorical speech on the subject. And the Cuban Govern-
ment became infuriated-that is the Congress and Batista, and they
wanted to have him declared persona non grata, which very fortu-
nately they didn't do. But I think Earl Smith had a hard time, be-
cause later on I know that he appreciated that Batista was really doing
mpob for the country, and that it was unfortunate that he made this
Senator DODD. Mr. Gardner, do you regard Herbert L. Matthews
as an expert on Latin American affairs?
Mr. GARDNER. I do not.
Senator DODD. Or Cuban affairs?
Mr. GARDNER. Any affairs. I think his history, if you look it
up-I am sure you know of it-I mean in Spain-is indicative of his
character.
Senator DODD. What part, if any, do you think Herbert L. Matthews
played in bringing Castro to power?
Mr. GARDNER. I don't think he did anything, physically. But his
articles were such that he created a biased situation against Batista.
Senator Donn. And pro-Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. Pro-Castro, very strongly.
Senator DODD. Did Herbert Matthews ever contact you while you
were the Ambassador in Cuba about-
Mr. GARDNER. I made every effort, and saw him a good many times,
tried to get his friendship, because he and a man named Dubois, who
worked for a Chicago paper-both of them were considered by us to
be radicals. And I even arranged meetings for him. And I made it
possible actually for Herbert Matthews to go down and have this inter-
view, because he asked me.
Senator DODD. Yes. I wanted to ask you about that. He did ask
four your assistance in arranging an interview with Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. He did.
Senator DODD. And this was arranged?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes.
Senator DODD. How did you arrange it?
Mr. GARDNER. Only under the condition that when he came back he
would tell me his reactions.
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Senator DODD Yes. But how could you arrange a meeting with
Castro?
Mr. GmwNER. Well, I mean in those days Batista was all for the
U.S. Ambassadcrr no matter who he would have been. And he was
very loath to do it, but he said, "All right, if you think it won't do
any harm, it is all right," and he let him go down.
Senator DODD._ This would indicate to be that Batista knew where
Castro was, all r: oht
Mr. GARDrrER. bh, thy all knew where he was. But they couldn't
put their finger cu him. Ho was moving every night.
Senator DODD. But certainly they knew how to get in touch with
him if they want -d to.
Mr. GARDNER. There isn't any doubt about that. But I think Ba-
tista was afraid he would make a martyr of him if he dragged him
out.
Senator DODD. How soon after Castro landed in Cuba did Herbert
Matthews seek an opportunity to see Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. I would say, offhand, 4 or 5 months after. It wasn't
immediately
Senator DODD. And I think you started to say that you agreed to
help him-or h(lp arrange for him-to see Castro. taut you made
him promise tha he would come back and see you and toll you
Mr. GARDNER. Tell me..
Senator DODD ;continuing). About his meeting with Castro.
Mr. GARDNER., Senator to be perfectly clear about this, the only
thing I could do :vas help him, so that he would have a pass to go clown
the island, so thr.t he could make this trip.
Senator DODD.. I understand-whatever it was that he thought you
could do, he wanted you to do it to help him get there?
Mr. GARD-.mm. That is right.
Senator DODD. And in return for this he promised he would come
back and tell you about this conversation with Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. That is right. And to this day I never have seen
him.
Senator DODD.. He never did return and never did tell you?
Mr. GARDNER. No. It was a. big shock to me, as a matter of fact.
Senator DODD.. Mr. Gardner, do you feel that Matthews' accounts
of his visit to Castro, as he wrote it up, had considerable influence on
the American people with respect to favoring Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. II don't think there is any question about it. I think
almost all the newspapers in this country became sort of hypnotized
by the thin
Senator DODD.. Do you know, Mr. Gardner, that there was abundant
information ave :fable about Castro's background at that time?
Mr. GARDN-ER. Oh, certainly.
Senator DODD.- It was well known that he had been in Colombia,
and of his associations and his activities. You know this to be a fact?
Mr. GARDNER.Absolutely.
Senator DODD.:And Matthews was well aware of this?
Mr. GARDNER. The all knew he was a professional rabblerouser.
Senator DODD., Anda revolutionary?
Mr. GARDNEIt. A revolutionary--it was his business.
Senator DODD.. Do you think that Matthews' stories about Castro
affected the Statc. Department's thinking about Castro?
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Mr. GARDNER. I can't think of any other possible cause for their
thinking what they thought.
Senator DODD. You think his articles did have-
Mr. GARDNER. Yes, they did have a great effect.
Senator DODD. Yes.
Mr. GARDNER. I think the answer we brought up a minute ago is
that he was briefing Smith.
Senator DODD. Well, to put it baldly, Mr. Gardner, do you think
of Matthews as a partisan of Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. No. I think his visit to Castro was a very unfortu-
nate thing. But I basically think that Herbert Matthews is one of
these people, the do-gooder type, who the minute you mention the
word-anybody as a dictator-is out to try to break him.
Senator DODD. Is this true of Communist dictators, or just other
than Communists?
Mr. GARDNER. I think it is only other than Communist. He has
been a foreign correspondent throughout Latin America, and so it was
the natural place for him to start in his-
Senator DODD. But as far as you know his opposition to dictators is
limited to non-Communist dictators?
Mr. GARDNER. I have never heard him say anything about Russia.
Senator DODD. Or about the Communist tyranny or dictatorship?
Mr. GARDNFSR. No.
Senator DODD. In your own mind, Mr. Gardner, do you consider
Castro a Communist tool, or do you think he is an important Com-
munist himself ?
Mr. GARDNER. I think he is a tool.
Senator DODD. Would you agree that insofar as the security and
welfare, of the United States is concerned, it doesn't make too much
difference-it is not important whether he is a tool
Mr. GARDNER. I don't think it makes any difference. The condi-
tions that he has brought about are so hideous, that I wouldn't care
what he was.
Senator DODD. Now, referring again to Mr. Herbert L. Matthews,
and Ambassador Smith, do you know that after Castro established his
headquarters in the Oriente Province, Herbert Matthews saw. Am-
bassador Smith and persuaded Mr. Smith to visit Santiago de Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. I don't think he did.
Senator DODD. You don't think he did ?
Mr. GARDNER. I think Earl Smith is a very determined self-
opinionated lad. And he just made up his mind that he would Pike to
make the trip down there.
Senator DODD. I see. And you think he did this on his own?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes. I know that two of the most important people
in the Embassy were there when I left-urged him not to do it.
Senator DODD. Yes, so you told us. He had, of course, been briefed
by Mr. Herbert Matthews.
Mr. GARDNER. I know. And that may have had some bearing.
But I don't think Herbert Matthews told him he ought to go down
there.
Senator DODD. I see. Do you now or did you know a Mr. Earl J.
Williamson, political officer of the State Department?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes.
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Senator Donn Do you know if he had anything to do with the
Cuban situat.ionf
Mr. GAnD:v'TR. Not. any that I remember. I mean he was-he would
get information I don't remember just exactly what his job was.
Senator DODD. Did you know--
Mr. GARDNER. Wasn't he a legal aid?
Senator DODD. Well--
Mr. GARDNER. I don't know. I think that is what he called it.
Senator DODD. Do you or did you know Park F. Wollam, American
consul at Santiago de Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. No, I never saw him.
Senator DODD. Do you know Mr. Kirkpatrick, of the CIA?
Mr. GARDNER. Yes. He came down a couple of times to Cuba.
Senator DODD Do you know of any activities by which lie--in
which ho engag-'d in Cuba in connection with the Castro rise to
power?
Mr. GARDNER. No.
Senator DODD. You do not. What can you tell us, Mr. Gardner,
if anything, abort Russian and Communist Chinese influence in Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, there is a large Chinese colony there. At the
time that I was there they were minding their own business, shop-
keepers and so on. We did know that there were some Communists
there. There w- s one particular instance. The radio station CMQ,
was the biggest chain radio station there. And they had a known
Communist as leader of the orchestra. And I tried very hard, and
had many rows and fights with the chap who heads this organiza-
tion, and his an-er to me was that the orchestra had never been
easier to handle, and he was making money out of it. That was his
position. And t.re net was that we were able to persuade two or three
of the, bigger adi-ertiser3 not to use his orchestra. But that is about
the story. So fa: as I know, there wasn't anything.
Senator DODD.. Mr. Gardner, do you believe that the U.S. Guan-
tanamo Base is safe from Cuban aggression?
Mr. GARDNER. I do.
Senator DODD. You think it is safe?
Mr. GARDNER. I don't think he would dream of touching it.
Senator DODD. You wade a suggestion, sir, that the United States
operate a Span isa-language radio station at Key West, or in that area,
to acquaint Cubf:ns, better acquaint Cubans, with the position of the
United States, and the attitude of the United States. Do you know
why this has not -',cen done?
Mr. GARDNER. I haven't any idea. I have been talking and talking
about it.
Senator DonD. This would not be a very lingo task.
Mr. GAnnNER. No, they have got plenty of equipment.
Senator DODD. Who has the authority to do this, Mr. Gardner, if
you know?
(Mr. Gardner eliakes Tread.)
Mr. GARDNER. I want to make. very clear to you. I don't know that
it should be run by the United States. I think it really ought to be
done as a privab thing. Shortwave would be no good, because it is
amazing the nun ber of people that have radio sets in Cuba. And if
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Castro were to make a statement that nobody was to listen to the sta-
tion, every Cuban would listen. I know them.
Senator DODD. Well, sir, I don't want to detain you longer. I
know you have not been feeling well.
Is there anything more you can tell us about the part America or
Americans played in helping to bring Castro to power in Cuba?
Mr. GARDNER. I don't think very many Americans--I think the
man, this Prio, made this statement to a man who was formerly
Cuban Ambassador to the United States, who asked to go over and
find out what his attitude was. We had failed to get anybody to move
against him. You can get information, if you want to, from Immi-
gration or any one of the organizations why they didn't do it. But
none of them would do it.
Senator DODD. Finally, sir, Mr. Gardner, what would be your rec-
ommendations as to how the United States-what our policy should
be, what we should do with respect to Cuba and the Castro govern-
ment?
Mr. GARDNER. I mentioned to you the radio station. If the United
States took a strong position against Castro, I think you would find,
without any doubt, that the Cubans themselves would perform what
has got to be performed sooner or later-we have got to get rid of
Castro.
Senator DODD. Well, don't you think by now already the Russian
and Chinese influence there is making it more difficult for the Cuban
people to get rid of Castro?
Mr. GARDNER. Well, I say I don't agree with a lot of people. I
don't think they are enough indoctrinated.
These young people, it is waving a flag, and they are told what to
do. It is hurrah, boys, it is a great show. He promised to give, them
land and then he doesn't give them the land.
Senator DODD. What do you think we ought to do? He is con-
fiscating our property. He is causing trouble. He has created an
espionage beachhead in the hemisphere.
Mr. GARDNER. I think we ought to morally support any movement
of Cubans that is willing to take the job on. And I don't think
there is any question that there are such people. I think we can't
do it ourselves, because you know we can't send Marines down. That
would be the most terrible thing in the world. But we can, under
cover, support and let them know that we want to have a change.
Senator DODD. Well, all right.
For the record, I should like to, say that I appreciate your helpful-
ness and frankness, and I am sure that the committee will as well.
Many people are troubled about this Cuban situation. You are a
respected man, a former Ambassador to that country. And it is, I
think, valuable to the committee and to the Senate of the United
States to have your views.
Mr. GARDNER. Any time. As soon as I get settled here, I will come
and be glad to talk to you or anybody else about it.
Senator DODD. I would like to have it appear on the record that we
held this hearing at your home, at your invitation. I wouldn't want
to have it appear that we barged in on you.
Mr. GARDNER. No, certainly.
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Senator Donn And ] came up because you were not feeling well,
and it would be cif iicult for you to travel to Washington.
Mr. GAnDNER. That is fine.
(Whereupon, it 6:40 p.m., the executive session was adjourned.)
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COMMUNIST THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES
THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
AUGUST 30, 1960
U.S. SENATE,
SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE INTERNAL SECURITY ACT
AND OTHER INTERNAL SECURITY LAWS,
OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY,
W ashington, D.C.
The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:40 a.m., in room
2300, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., Senator Thomas
J. Dodd presiding.
Present : Senators Dodd ; James O. Eastland, chairman; and Ro-
man L. Hruska.
Also present: J. G. Sourwine, chief counsel; Benjamin Mandel,
research director, and Frank W. Schroeder, chief investigator.
Senator DODD. Mr. Ambassador, will you rise and raise your right
hand? Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you will give before
this subcommittee will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth, so help you God ?
Mr. SMITH. To help me God.
Senator DODD. Mr. Sourwine.
Mr. SOURWINE. Mr. Smith, would you give the reporter your name
and your address, please?
TESTIMONY OF EARL E. T. SMITH
Mr. SMrrx. Earle E. T. Smith; residence, 1021 North Ocean Boule-
vard, Palm Beach, Fla.
Mr. SOURWINE. You are a native of Rhode Island?
Mr. SMITH. I was born in Rhode Island.
Mr. SOURWINE. A graduate of Yale University in 1926?
Mr. SMITH., I attended Yale University for 2 years, class of 1926.
Mr. SOURWINE. You had service in the U.S. Army in World
War II?
Mr, SMITH. That is correct.
Mr. SOURWINE. You reached the rank of lieutenant colonel?
Mr. SMITH. That is correct.:
Mr. SoURWINE. Had oversea service?
Mr. SMITH. That is correct.
Mr. SOURWINE. You have been an. investment broker?
Mr. SMITH. Yes.
Mr. SounwINE. A member of the New York Stock Exchange?
Mr. SMITH. That is correct.
Mr. SOURWINE. A partner in an investment firm?
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Mr. Smrrii. TF atis correct.
Mr. SounwiNE You were special assistant in the Office of Price
Management, the War Production Board, in 1941 and 1942?
Mr. SMITH. Of ice of Production Management.
Mr. SounwiNE.' Office of Production Management?
Mr. SmTH. W'tich is the predecessor of the War Production Board.
Mr. SountivrNE.. Yes, sir. You were appointed Ambassador Extraor-
dinary and Plenipotentiary to Cuba, June 3,1957?
Mr. SMITII. Confirmed by the Senate in May 1957.
Mr. SODRwINE. And you served until when, sir?
Mr. SMrru. Until January 20,1959.
Mr. SouRwiNE. Mr. Smith, when you were appointed Ambassador
to Cuba, were you, briefed on the job ?
Mr. Srrrrr. Ycs; I was.
Mr. SounwiNE., Who gave you this briefing?
Mr. SMrrri. I :;pent G weeks in Washington, approximately 4 days
of each week, vis';ting various agencies and being briefed by the State
Department and those whom the State Department designated.
Mr. SomnwrNE Any particular individual or individuals who had
a primary part in this briefing?
Mr. SMrTu. The answer is, in the period of 6 weeks I was briefed
by numbers of people in the usual course as every Ambassador is
briefed.
Mr. Somtwmi . Is it true, sir, that you were instructed to get a
briefing on your new job as Ambassador to Cuba from Herbert Mat-
thews of the New,York Times?
Mr. Sairrrr. Yes; that is correct.
Mr. SomiwINE. Who gave you these instructions?
Mr. SMITH. William Wieland, Director of the Caribbean Division
and Mexico. At that time he was Director of the Caribbean Division,
Central America-z Affairs.
Mr. SounwiNE. Did you, sir, in fact see Matthews?
Mr. SMrrn. Y;s; I did.
Mr. SomtwnNE And did he brief you on the Cuban situation?
Mr. SanTn. Yes; he did.
Mr. SouRwiNE, Could you give us the highlights of what he told
you?
Mr. SMITH. A ~e you going into a special line of this, because I have
prepared a statement that I would like to read to the committee, if I
may have the op7ortunity. It is a brief statement.
Senator Donn. You certainly may, but I think it is better for our
record if we proceed with our questions, and then if you want to make
any statement, o ` course you will have full opportunity to do so.
Mr. SanTir. Would you mind repeating the last question?
Mr. SounwrNE: I asked if you could give us the highlights of what
Matthews told ycu.
Mr. SmEra. We talked for 21/2 hours on the Cuban situation, a
complete review ;of his feelings regarding Cuba, Batista, Castro, the
situation in Cub t, and what be thought would happen.
Mr. SomtwrNE What did he think would happen ?
Mr. Si rn. Ho did not believe that the Batista government could
last, and that the fall of the Batista government would come relatively
soon.
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Mr. SOURWINE. Specifically what did he say about Castro?
Mr. SMITH. In February 1957 Herbert L. Matthews wrote three
articles on Fidel Castro, which appeared on the front page of the New
York Times, in which he eulogized Fidel Castro and portrayed him
as a political Robin Hood, and I would say that he repeated those views
to me in our conversation.
Mr. SOURWINE. Did he, sir, call your attention to those articles?
Mr. SMITH. No; he did not.
Mr. SOURWINIE. Did the State Department call your attention to
them?
Mr. SMITH. I don't believe anybody called attention to them. At
that time I recall that I was going to be Ambassador to Cuba, and I
read them with great interest.
Mr. SOURWINE. What did Mr. Matthews tell you about Batista.?
Mr. SMITH. Mr. Matthews had a very poor view of Batista, con-
sidered him a rightist ruthless dictator whom he believed to, be cor-
rupt. Mr. Matthews informed me that he had very knowledgeable
views of Cuba and Latin American nations, and had seen the same
things take place in Spain. He believed that it would be in the best
interest of Cuba and the best interest of the world in general when
Batista was removed from office.
Mr. SOURWINE. It was true that Batista's government was corrupt,
wasn't it?
Mr. SMITH. It is true that Batista's government was corrupt.
Batista was the power behind the Government in Cuba off and on for
25 years. The year 1957 was the best economic year that Cuba had
ever had.
However, the Batista regime was disintegrating from within. It
was becoming more corrupt, and as a result was losing strength. The
Castro forces themselves never won a military victory. The best mili-
tary victory they ever won was through capturing Cuban guardhouses
and military skirmishes, but they never actually won a military
victory.
The Batista government was overthrown because of the corruption,
disintegration from within, and because of the United States and the
various agencies of the United States who directly and indirectly
aided the overthrow of the Batista government and brought into
power Fidel Castro.
Mr. SOURWINE. What were those agencies, Mr. Smith?
Mr. SMITH. The U.S. Government agencies-may I say something
off the record?
(Discussion off the record.)
Senator DODD. Let it appear on the record that Ambassador Smith
at this point has a statement which he feels will answer more com-
pletely some of the questions already asked, and questions which may
be asked later on.
Mr. SMITH. Shall I proceed?
Senator DODD. You may resume.
Mr. SMITH. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, as I
am not aware of the line of questioning which your committee will fol-
low today, I have prepared the following brief statement :
First let me say that to date I have made no public statement re-
garding my experiences in Cuba because I did not feel that, as a
former Ambassador, it was my function to say anything which
43&54-60-pt. 9---4
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684 COMMVN SST THREAT TO U.S. THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
might be interpreted as critical of the administration which I had
served. I have only the greatest respect and admiration for Presi-
dent Eisenhower, whose integrity is beyond question.
IIowever, the establishment of a Communist. regime in Cuba in-
volves the defer e and safety of this country and as you asked me to
testify before you, I do so, recognizing that the welfare of the United
States must transcend personal desires and reticence,
From persona] experience I have learned that many very influential
sources in the United States are dedicated to the overthrow of all
dictatorships. `.,'hey are as opposed to anti-Corm unist rightest dicta-
tor, who are friendly to the United States, as to the. Communist
dictators whom `hey regard as progressive. They adopt a doctrinaire
attitude toward: this question which is so impractical that the , ulti-
mately uiiwitt.inrly defeat themselves. If dictatorship versus democ-
racy were the only question that faced us, it would not be difficult
to make a decis`on. However, as we are in the midst of a struggle
for survival, oilier considerations are pertinent.
If the policy of the United States is to bring about the overthrow
of dictators in .`,lie hope that democracy will follow, then I believe
that the United States must be prepared to take whatever steps are
necessary to preserve law and order and prevent chaos during that
interim period of transition. If free and open elections are to be
held, when a dictator is overthrown, a provisional government must
be formed and st.ch government. needs outside support to maintain law
and order. To tto otherwise leaves a vacuum for the Communists to
gain control. S Ach a vacuum did not occur in Cuba while I was the
Z.T.S. Ambassador there. Instead, a group was ready to seize power-
a Communist grcip.
If we are to intervene sufficiently to brin about the overthrow of
dictatorships, then we should intervene to whatever extent is required
to fulfill our pupose. Otherwise, in my opinion, we must wait for
the normal self-development of a peope and not assist revolution.
And we must be prepared to receive the criticism of supporting
friendly governments recognized by the United States, although they
have been labele:l dictatorships. To make my point more clear, let
me say that we .aelped to overthrow the Batista dictatorship which
was pro-American only to install the Castro dictatorship which is pro-
Russian.
Mr. SouitwrxE Mr. Smith, the pending question before you read
your statement was: What agencies of the U.S. Government had a hand
in bringing presmurc to overthrow the Batista government, and how
did they do it?
Mr. 8nrrrir. Well, the agencies, certain influential people, influen-
tial sources in the State Department, lower down echelons in the CIA.
I would say representatives of the majority of the U.S. Government
agencies which have anything to do with the Embassy.
Mr. SounwINE. Mr. Smith, when you talked with Matthews to get
the briefing before you went to Cuba, was he introduced to you as hav-
ing any authorit from the State Department or as being connected
with. the. State Department in any way?
Mr. SMITH. Let me go back. You asked me a short while ago who
arranged the mee ing with Mr.Matthews.
Mr. SoUitwINE. And you said Mr. Wieland.
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Mr. SMITH. I said William Wieland, but William Wieland also
had to have the approval of Roy Rubottom, who was then Assistant
Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs. Now, to go back to
this question, as I understood it you said-would you mind repeating
that again?
Mr. SouRwiNE. I asked if, when you were sent to Mr. Matthews for
this briefing, he was introduced to you as having any official connection
with the State Department or any authority from the Department?
Mr. SMITH. Oh, no. I knew who he was, and they obviously knew
I knew who he was, but I believe that they thought it would be a good
idea for me to get the viewpoint of Herbert Matthews, and also I
think that Herbert Matthews is the leading Latin American editorial
writer for the New York Times. Obviously the State Department
would like to have the support of the New York Times.
Mr. SounwiNE. Mr. Matthews was not, as far as you know then, a
consultant for the State Department or otherwise connected with the
Department?
Mr. SMITH. I do not believe that he was ever a consultant or ever
employed by the State Department. I believe there was a close con-
nection, though, between the Latin American desk and Herbert
Matthews.
Mr. SouRwiNE. And, by "the Latin American desk" whom do you
mean?
Mr. SivIITH. I would say the Latin American desk would go from
the Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs right
down to the man who presides over the Cuban desk.
Mr. SounwINE. And who was that?
Mr. SMITH. The individual who presided over the Cuban desk in
himself is not important, I don't think, in what you are trying to
arrive at.
I would say that Mr. Wieland and all those who had anything to
do with Cuba had a close connection with Herbert Matthews.
I will go further than that. I will say that when I was Ambas-
sador, that I was thoroughly aware of this, and sometimes made the
remark in my own Embassy that Mr. Matthews was more familiar
with the State Department thinking regarding Cuba than I was.
Senator EASTLAND. Mr. Smith, when were you Ambassador ?
Mr. SMITH. I was confirmed by the Senate in May 1957, and was
in Cuba until January 20,1959.
Senator EASTLAND. You were then Ambassador when Castro came
to power.
Mr. SMITH. Castro landed on the shores of South Oriente in De-
cember 1956, and he was still considered an outlaw in the hills, I will
say, until just about the time when I arrived in Cuba, so I was in
Cuba during the last year and a half of Batista's regime, during that
whole period of time-
Senator EASTLAND. You were there when Batista fled?
Mr. SMITH, Oh, yes, Sir.
Senator EASTLAND. Mr. Smith, we have had hearings, a great many,
in Miami, with prominent Cubans, and there is a thread that runs
through the whole thing that people connected with some Govern-
mont agency went to Cuba and called on the chiefs of the armed
forces and told them that we would not recognize the government of
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the President-elect., and that we would not. back him, and that because
of that the chi fs of the armed forces told Batista to leave the coun-
try, and they sat up a government in which they attempted to make
a deal with Castro. That is accurate, isn't it, Tom?
Senator Dour. I would say so, yes.
Senator EAS LAND. That thread runs through the whole series of
hearings. Do 'iou know anything about that?
Mr. Sau'ria. 'ell, it is goin to take a little while to answer that,
because it is no', as simple as thiat, Senator Eastland. You are talk-
ing now about Rivero Aguero who was elected November 3, 1958,
as President of Cuba.
Senator EASTLAND. Yes.
Mr. Sarrrir. Let me just read, if I may, something that I wrote here
that I may publish and may not-this is part of it-which will an-
swer part of ycaur question. I will have to go back over it step by
step, because w?at you have heard, Senator Eastland, is partly true
and partly untrue.
Senator EABT~AND. Yes.
Mr. Snurir. 1 have been asked many times what part if any the
United States p ayed in Castro and Communist rise to power in Cuba.
The U.S. Goveriment agencies and the U.S. press played a major role
in bringing Castro to power.
Three front-1 age articles in the New York Times in early 1957,
written by the e.litorialist Irerbert Matthews, served to inflate Castro
to world stature and world recognition. Until that time, Castro had
been ust another bandit in the Orients Mountains of Cuba, with a
handful of follcwers who had terrorized the campesinos, that is the
peasants, throughout the countryside.
Fidel Castro _anded on the south coast of Oriente in December of
1956 from Mexico with an expeditionary force of 81 men. Inter-
cepted by Cubar, gunboats and patrol planes, Castro and a handful of
stragglers managed to ensconce themselves in the rugged 8,000-foot
Sierra Maestra Lange.
After the Matthews articles which followed an exclusive interview
by the Times edi`orial sriter in Castro's mountain hideout and which
likened him to Abraham Lincoln, he was able to get followers and
funds in Cuba and in the United States. From that time on arms,
money, and sole.iers of fortune abounded. Much of the American
press began to pi ?ture Castro as a political Robin Hood.
Also because I'atista was the dictator who unlawfully seized power,
American people assumed Castro must, on the other hand, represent
liberty and demccracy. The crusader role which the press and radio
bestowed on the bearded rebel blinded the people to the leftwing
political philosophy with which even at that time he was already on
record.
His speeches a-, a student leader, his interviews as an exile while in
Mexico, Costa Rica, and elsewhere clearly outlined a Marxist trend
of political thought.
The official U.Z. attitude toward Castro could not help but be in-
fluenced by the ro-Cnstro press and radio; certain Members of Con-
gress picked up the torch for him.
From there, tc, get back to your question, there were a, number of
times, number of occasions when I was asked as the Ambassador if we
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would help the church in its efforts to establish a bridge between
Castro and Batista, or if we, in any way, would support a national
unity government. Such government would act as a provisional
government in Cuba to maintain law and order while elections were
being held.
The United States would never agree to support or would never
permit me to negotiate, because it would be considered as intervening
in the internal affairs of Cuba.
Batista made three big mistakes. The last big mistake he made was
when he did not hold honest elections, which he had promised me on
numerous and many occasions that he would have. Rivero Aguero,
the former Prime Minister of Cuba, was elected, I believe it was
November 8, 1958, to succeed Batista. It is true, in reply to your
question, Senator, that the U.S. Government instructed me through
the State Department to say that we would not give aid and support
to the Rivero Aguero government when installed because we did not
feel that he could maintain effective control of the country. As far
as the disintegration of the armed forces around the Batista govern-
ment, the answer to your last question is that this negative action
helped shatter the morale of the existing government. The responsi-
bility for the deterioration in the morale of the army, navy, and
Cuban Air Force dates back to many other forms of direct and
indirect-I use the word "intervention" advisedly.
Primarily I would say that when we refused to sell arms to the
Cuban Government and also by what I termed intervening by innu-
endo (which was persuading other friendly governments not to sell
arms to Cuba) that these actions had a moral, psychological effect
upon the Cuban armed forces which was demoralizing to the nth
degree.
The reverse, it built up the morale of the revolutionary forces.
Obviously when we refused to sell arms to a friendly government, the
existing government, the people of Cuba and the armed forces knew
that the United States no longer would support Batista's government.
It is also true, and I believe that I can confirm the story now be-
cause the following story was reported by associates of Batista.
Further, I was asked by the press last winter to comment on whether
we had told Batista to leave the country. At that time I refused
to answer the question and referred all comments to the State
Department.
It is also that, upon instructions, I spent 2 hours and 35 minutes
on December 17, 1958, with Batista, and I told him that the United
States or rather certain influential people in the United States be-
lieved that he could no longer maintain effective control in Cuba and
that they believed it would avoid a great deal of further bloodshed
if he were to retire.
Senator EASTLAND. That was on instructions of the State Depart-
ment?
Mr. SMITH. An ambassador never would have a conversation like
that, sir, unless it was on instructions of the State Department.
Senator EASTLAND. Yes.
Senator Donn. When you say the State Department, to be more
exact, who?
Mr. SMITH. Pardon me, Senator?
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Senator Devi. What human being in the State Department, who in
the State Dep.- rtment?
bir. SMITh . Well, an ambassador receives his orders by cable and it
is signed always by the Secretary of State. Whoever writes those
cables I couldn't answer, but I have a part here-
Senator EAS7LAND. Your judgment is it was the Latin American
desk, Mr. Rubcttom, wasn't it,
Mr. SMITrl. That brings up what I consider a very important point.
I believe that the policies are determined in the lower echelon, and by
the time the higher echelon receives them, policies have already been
made, and they have to live b ? them.
I would like -:o recommend that some higher authority, such as the
National Security Council of the United States, determine what our
attitude toward another nation should be. Then all (lie actions of the
State Department should be guided according to such policy as laid
down by the National Security Council. I am sure the decision of
the National Sec.urit Council would be arrived at front what is in the
best interest of tie Unit=ed States.
If they believed it was in the best interest of the United States to be
friendly to another power and to give aid to that power, then our
actions along thr.t line should be guided accordingly.
A decision such is prohibiting the sale of arms to a friendly nation
can have devastating effects-upon the government in power.
We oven did iot fulfill our promise to deliver 15 training planes,
which had been bought and paid for by the Batista government. In
accordance with instructions from the State Department I informed
Batista that delivery would be suspended, because we fearel some
harm might. come to the 47 kidnaped Americans. The kidnaping by
Raul Castro of cO U.S. marines and sailors, 17 American citizens, and
3 Canadians occurred at this time.
After the kidiaped Americans were returned we still refused to
deliver these training planes because we feared that bombs could be
put, on the plane,' even though they were strictly for f raining purposes.
I reiterate that decisions such as these may determine whether a
government can remain in power.
Although they could buy arms and ammunition from other sources,
the psychological impact on the morale of (lie government was crip-
pling. On the other hand, it gave a, great uplift to the morale of (lie
rebels.
Senator DASTL;MD. Let me ask you this question. As a matter of
fact, isn't it ,your judgment that the State Department of the United
States is pririmarr?y responsible for bringing Castro to power in Cuba?
Mr. S3rITn. Ni), sir, I can't say that the State Department in itself
is primarily responsible. The State Department. played a large part
in bringing Cast:'o to power. The press, other Government agencies,
Members of Congress arc, responsible.
Senator EABTLiND. Would you say that the American Government
then, including all of its agencies, was largely responsible for bring-
ing Castro to power?
Mr. SMrrrr. The American Government, yes, sir, and the people in
the American Go errunerrt,
Senator EASTI.l hnn. Yes.
Mr. SMrrii. W W refused to sell arms to a friendly government and
we persuaded other friendly governments not to sell arms to Cuba.
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Yet on the other hand revolutionary sympathizers were delivering
arms, bodies and ammunition daily from the United States. We were
lax in enforcing our neutrality laws.
Senator EASTLAND. To. Castro.
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir, to revolutionaries under Castro.
Senator EASTLAND. You had.been warning the State Department
that Castro was a Marxist?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.
Senator EASTLAND. And that Batista's government was a friendly
government. That is what had been your advice as to the State De-
partment?
Mr. SMITH. Let me answer that this way, which will make it very
clear. When I went to Cuba, I left here with the definite feeling ac-
cording to my briefings which I had received, that the U.S. Govern-
ment was too close to the Batista regime, and that we were being ac-
cused of intervening in the affairs of Cuba by trying to perpetuate
the Batista dictatorship.
After I had been in Cuba, for approximately 2 months, and had
made a study of Fidel Castro and the revolutionaries, it was' perfectly
obvious to me as it would be to any other reasonable man that Castro
was not the answer; that if Castro came to power, it would not be in
the best interests of Cuba or in the best interests of the United States.
Senator EASTLAND. Why?
Mr. SiiiTH. Because I feared he was a Marxist.
Senator EASTLAND. That is right.
Mr. SMITH. Because of his statements.
Senator EASTLAND. That is right. Now in the light of that infor-
mation that he was a Marxist, that for him to come to power was not
in the best interest of our country, in, the light of that information
Mr. SIITII. I want to correct something I said if I may for the
record.
Senator EASTLAND. All right.
Mr. SMITH. When 'I said because he was a Marxist, he at that time
gave every indication of being a Marxist from the statements which
had been made in Mexico, Costa Rica, at Bogota (also he had been
active in the FEU). I did not have the proof at that time that he
was. However, there was no question that there was Communist
infiltration and Communist control of this movement.
Senator EASTLAND. All right, but your advices were that it was,
not in the best interest of the United States for him to come to power,
and in spite of that then you,say that the American Government is
.
primarily responsible for putting him in power?
Mr. SMITH. You are making the statement, sir. Are you asking a
question? _
Senator EASTLAND. Yes, I ask it in the form of a question.
Mr. SMITH. You made a very good statement, Senator Eastland.
I don't know how I can comment on that statement.
Senator EASTLAND. Do you agree with it?
Mr. SMITH. Would you repeat that, what Senator Eastland said,
please ?
Senator EASTLAND. I said that your advices were that it was not
in the best interest of the United States for Castro to come to power.
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir. '
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Senator EAsr.AiD. And yet in spite of that, of your advices to our
Government. you say that our Government was primarily responsible
in bringing Castro to power.
Mr. SMITH. That is absolutely correct.
Senator Dow,. May I ask a question? Did you over discuss Castro
with Mr. Rubottom I
Mr. Sm'ru. Yes on numerous occasions.
Senator DODL. Gran you tell us what his attitude was toward Castro?
Mr. SMITH. Y n all due justice to Roy Rubottom, I think that Roy
Rubottom was under terrific pressure from segments of the press,
from certain Members of Congress, from the avalanche of Castro
sympathizers aid revolutionary sympathizers who daily descended
upon the State Department, also their oflicial representative, Betan-
court., and Rubottom may have taken the line of least resistance.
Senator DoDI. Did he ever tell you that he knew about Castro in
Colombia ?
Mr. SMrrx. I don't believe we discussed what is known as
"Bogoloza."
Senator Donr. Do you know that he was in Bogota when Castro
was?
Mr. SMrrgi. I did not know that.
Senator DODD. That is all I have.
Mr. Sounwnri. May I inquire
To go back just a little bit, you spoke of the 15 training planes which
were hold up, and I understood you to say they were held up because
this Governniei ; feared that if they were sent, there might be some
harm to the kidn tped Americans?
Mr. SarrTa. T:.iat is correct.
Mr. SouRwmNl. Did you mean by this that the Government of the
United States was yielding to blackmail?
Mr. SHIITH. N?) I do not think the U.S. Government was yielding to
blackmail, but I tL_ink the State Department did not want to take any
action which might help the Batista government and receive the pro-
tests of the revol itionaries.
Mr. SounwINE. Are you saying then that this was simply an excuse
which was given `!
Mr. Smi u. I believe the Department was happy to have a reason
to justify reversing their decision. What happened was this.
The Batista government paid for these planes. They were 15 train-
ing planes which were allegedly to be used for the one and only pur-
poses of training a few pilots taking Air Force training in the
United States.
I received inst:?uetions to tell Batista that we could make delivery
of those 15 plane:.. I recall this very clearly because I remember that
it was received pith groat pleasure by the Government of Cuba be-
cause they felt that here was an indication that the United States was
not going to be too severe. Batista reported my message to his
Cabinet,
Shortly therea:'.tcr, before the planes could be delivered, the kid-
naping of the An ericans took place. I received instructions to notify
the Batista government that the 15 training planes could not be de-
livered because tl:.o United States feared that bodily harm might come
to the Americans who were kidnaped.
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I conveyed this information to the President of Cuba, informed him
that this was only a temporary suspension for the reasons outlined
above. When the kidnaped Americans were returned, I sent numer-
ous telegrams urging delivery of the training planes.
The subject was carried on for approximately 2 or 3 months, trying
to obtain these training planes for the Batista government; not that
the training planes themselves were so important to the Batista gov-
ernment, but because of the psychological effect it would have upon
those associated with the Government of Cuba.
However, the State Department refused to grant permission to have
these planes released from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where they were
based.
Mr. SOURWINE. Do you know, sir, whether there was any threat con-
veyed to the State Department by or on behalf of Castro that if these
planes were sent, the kidnaped Americans would be harmed?
Mr. SMITH. I do not believe there was. To the best of my knowl-
edge, the Castro people-I will correct that. I was about to say the
Castro people had no knowledge.
However, the espionage system of 'the Castro people was so good
that I could not say they didn't have knowledge of anything of such
importance, because they seemed to know-they knew nearly every-
thing that was going on. They had their spies planted in the Cuban
Embassy, and they had the very finest espionage system.
Senator DODD. By "the Cuban Embassy" you mean their Embassy
here in Washington?
Mr. SMITH. The Cuban Embassy in Washington. I warned Gon-
zalo Guell, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Cuba, and I
also warned President Batista that there were spies in the Cuban Em-
bassy in Washington. I received this information from the State
Department, from the Cuban desk in the State Department.
We knew that the leakages were coming from the Cuban Embassy
in Washington. If you wish me to go into details, I can tell you how
they knew it.
However, the Cuban Government never took effective. measures.
First of all I warned the Government of Cuba when De La Campa
was Cuban Ambassador, later when Arroya became Ambassador I
again warned him. I went even further. I told Arroya it would be in
his best interests if he removed everybody in the Cuban Embassy
and obtained completely new personnel so as to be awfully sure he had
divested the Embassy of the spies.
However, no steps were taken. That is where most of the leakages
came from.
Mr. SOURWINE. I think it would be interesting if you could tell us
how the State Department knew that these leaks occurred through
the Embassy?
Mr. SMITH. In March 1957, 1,950 Garand rifles were on the docks
and prepared to be delivered by boat to the Cuban Government.
Cuban revolutionaries and sympathizers in New York had informa-
tion of this. They brought a great deal of pressure to bear on the
State Department to halt shipment.
The State Department issued an order canceling the shipment of
these 1,950 Garand rifles-it is not Garland-G-a-r-a-n-d, canceling
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this shipment. This was the beginning of when we suspended the
shipment of arms to Cuba.
The reason that the Cuban desk of the State Department felt that
the leakages were coming out of the Cuban Embassy was that the
revolutionary .yinpathizers in New York and in Washington had the
numbers on th,iso rifles. There were only two places that you could
get the numbe:s of those rifles, and that was from either our War
Department or Ehe Cuban Embassy.
Senator IIrttSi[A. When you sa "numbers," do you mean serials $
Mr. SMrrrr.:1Tumbers on the rifles, the serial numbers on the rifles.
The Cuban Err bassy had those serial numbers because they were ad-
vised of their shipments. It later turned out that a secretary, I
believe it was the secretary to the Ambassador and also the sergeant
who was in charge of the coda room, were Castro revolutionaries
planted in the Cuban Embassy in Washington, and they were the ones
who were relaying this information to Castro.
Senator Ensni,AND. Air. Smith, you said that in justice to Mr. Ru-
bottom that lie Was under pressure. in this country.
Mr. SMrrir. Yes, sir.
Senator EASTLAND. But regardless of pressure, Mr. Rubottom knew
that Castro wae, a Marxist and was unfriendly to the United States.
Mr. Sarrrlt. -- do not believe that Rubottom believed that Castro
was a Marxist, ''new that he was a Marxist, and I do not believe that
Rubottom knelt that Castro was unfriendly to the United States. I
believe that Rubottom was disillusioned as were many influential peo-
ple in the Unite-i States.
Senator EAsi~r.nr%-D. But he had your advices as Ambassador to
Cuba, the man oi the site?
Mr. SMrrrr, senator, I cannot unequivocally say that right from
the beginning I knew that Castro was a Marxist. When I first went
over there, I wt s instructed, not instructed but I was briefed, to the
effect that we had been too close to the Batista regime, and I went
to Cuba thinking that Batista wore horns and that Castro perhaps was
O.K.
The Conunun sts are too smart to infiltrate too openly at the begin-
ning and disclose their hand. Many times when I was in Cuba, I said
that the 26th of July Movement, the revolutionary movement, was It.
Boy Scout movement compared to the Communists, and that the Com-
munists would apply the blotting paper to the 26th of July Movement
as they saw fit, a-id they did sop it tip as they saw fit.
Senator EABTI _AND. You said you went there thinking Batista wore
horns, that we were so close to him-what was the rest of the answer,
that we were too close to him?
Mr. Sarrru. I -aid that when I went to Cuba, I went over there with
the feeling which I had received from my briefings, and nothing
specific but the thoughtr-
Senator EART7:A-,-D. Wait just a minute now. You have answered
the quest ion, Tiat was from briefings, that your opinion was based
on briefings anc` information you had received through the State
Department?
Mr.Slfrl'ri. I repeat, Senator, I said that nothing specific was said,
-but I clearly rec,,ived the impression from my briefings when I was
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in Washington that we were too close to the Batista government, and
when I went to Cuba, I felt that I had three missions.
Two of the missions I planned on arrival in Cuba. The third I
assumed after I got over there. Mission No. 1 was to have the United
States Embassy assume an impartial stand, have it generally under-
stood that the U.S. Embassy took an impartial view in the political
affairs of Cuba.
No. 2, to assist and do everything that I could to see that the press
censorship was lifted and that constitutional guarantees were again
restored. And, No. 3, was to do everything that I could-without
intervening in any way in the internal affairs of Cuba-to bring
about, through Batista, free and open elections.
I was successful in step 1. I was successful in step 2. However,
the revolutionaries stepped up their terroristic activities and forced
Batista to again clamp on the press censorship and to again suspend
constitutional guarantees.
Then I concentrated on trying to persuade Batista to hold free and
open elections. On numerous occasions, Batista gave me his solemn
word he would hold honest elections. He not only said he would hold
free and open elections, but he also promised me that he would ask
the world press to witness these elections, that he would ask the
United Nations to send representatives to witness these elections, that
he would ask the Organization of American States to send represent-
atives to witness these elections. He failed in that promise.
I have reviewed the answers to these questions a little bit, sir,
because if I answer them yes or no, I am afraid it may give the wrong
interpretation.
Senator HruSKA. Mr. Smith, in that same field you have made sev-
eral references to pressure on Roy Rubottom. 'Could you tell us the
source or the nature of this pressure?
Mr. SMITH. The pressure on Roy Rubottom came from Members of
Congress who it is not necessary for me to name because you gentle-
men know them.
Pressures on Roy Rubottom came from some sections of the press
in the United States. Pressure on Roy Rubottom came from the
representatives and sympathizers of the 26th of July Movement in
the United States and particularly those in Washington.
Senator EASTLAND. What is the name that you named as one of
them who is now President of
Mr. SMITH. No, he is not. He has the same name. It is not the
same man. His name was Betancourt. He was the legal official rep-
resentative, registered and legally accepted of the Cuban revolution-
aries in Washington.
Many of these people, who later became members of the first Cabi-
net of Castro were asylees in the United States. They had close con-
tacts with members of the State Department.
To name a few : Urrutia, the first President of Cuba, Agramonte,
the first Foreign Minister of Cuba, the first Prime Minister of Cuba,
Miro Cardona. As a matter of fact, the first time that I met Cardona
was after Batista had left the country. It was about the. 4th of
Janua of 1959 in the Presidential palace. He turned to me and
said "I am a good friend of William Wieland, a very good friend of
William Wieland."
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Also many other revolutionary sympathizers had access to the
State bepart.mcnt. These people brought. continual pressure on the
Department.
Senator EAST;.AND. Do you know at the same time the Latin Ameri-
can desk was receiving advices from other Latin American coun-
tries of Castro's Communist affiliation?
Mr. SarrTrr. Yo, sir, I did not. They never told me that. No, sir,
I did not.
In my own Enbassy there were certain ones of influence who were
pro-26th of July, pro-Castro, and anti-Batista.
Senator EAsTI.Ai n. Who were they ?
Mr. SMITH. I o I have to answer that question, Senator?
Senator EASTrrn. Yes, I think you have to. We are not going
into it unnecessarily.
Mr. Sawn. I don't want to harm anybody. That is the reason I
asked.
I would say the Chief of the Polibical Section, John Topping, and
the Chief of the= CIA Section. It was revealed that the No. 2 CIA
man in the embassy had given unwarranted and undue encouragement
to the revolutionaries. This came out in the trials of naval officers
after the Cienfuegos revolution of September 1057.
Senator EASTIAND. Did Castro ever win a battle?
Mr. SmTrr. Cistro never won a military victory. The best victories
that Castro evei won were raids upon Cuban guardhouses that are
spread out through the hinterland and small skirmishes with Govern-
ment troops.
Senator EASmAxn. How did he come to power? First, why did
Batista leave?
Mr. SMrTu. 'Why did Batista leave?
Senator EASTL, .ND.. Yes.
Mr. SMrrrir. Ii the Urtited States had been completely impartial, in
my opinion, Bat.:sta, would not have had to leave Cuba until after the
inauguration of the president-elect (Rivero Aguero).
Senator EAaTLAND. Ile didn't have to leave. Ile had not been de-
feated by armed.: orce.
Mr. Sartre'. Lr t me put it to you this way : that there are a lot of
reasons for Batista's moving out. Batista. had been in control off and
on for 25 years. His government was disintegrating at the end due
to corruption, dus to the fact that he had been in power too long. Po-
lice brutality waf getting worse.
On the other hind there were three forces that kept. Batista in power.
Ile had the support of the armed forces, he had support of the labor
leaders. Cuba enjoyed a good economy.
Nineteen hundred and fifty-seven was one of the best years in the
economic history of Cuba. The fact that the United States was no
longer supporting Batista had a devastating psychological effect upon
the armed forces and upon the leaders of the labor movement. This
went a long way I oward bringing about his downfall
On the other hand, our actions in the United States were responsi-
ble for the rise `o power of Castro. Until certain portions of the
American press l egan to write derogatory articles against. the Batista
government, the Castro revolution never got off first base.
Batista made he mistake of overemphasizing the importance of
Prio, who was residing in Florida, andPunderestimating the impor-
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tance of Castro. Prio was operating out of the United States, out of
Florida, supplying the revolutionaries with arms, ammunition, bodies
and money.
Batista Mold me that when Prio left Cuba, Prio and Alameia took
$140 million out of Cuba. If we cut that estimate in half, they may
have shared $70 million. It is believed that Prio spent a great many
millions of dollars in the United States assisting the revolutionaries.
This was done right from our shores.
Senator EASTLAND. No effort was made to stop it ?
Mr. SMIru. The Batista government complained continually about
the airlifts and airdrops of bodies and arms from the United States.
I always kept 'the State Department fully informed.
But we seemed to have great trouble in enforcing our neutrality
laws. I have sometimes wished that we had been half as diligent at
that time in enforcing our neutrality laws as we have been lately.
Senator HRUSKA. Mr. Smith, you mentioned the time when the
United States through the press did these things and so on. Do you
mean the United States officially or the press as an institution?
Mr. SMITH. Certain elements of the American press I should say.
Senator HRUSKA. The American press.
Mr. SMITH. Well, let us say world press.
Senator HRUSS.A. The world press, yes, the press in general?
Mr. SMITH. Certain elements of the press in general..
Senator HRUSKA. Didn't they have access to the same information
that you and other people did with reference to the Marxist influences,
in Castro's thinking and his actions?
Mr. SMITH. There are certain influential people in the United
States who are definitely antirightist dictators, but seem to look upon
leftist dictators as being progressive.
Now whether that is an answer to your question or not, sir, I don't
know. I do believe that too much concentration sometimes is placed
upon the removal of a dictator and not enough thought is given upon
what will take place afterward. I tried to cover that in the statement
which I read here before Senator Eastland came in.
Senator EASTLAND. You said that you wished that. we had been as
zealous
Mr. SMITH. Pardon me?
Senator EASTLAND. You said that you wished we had been as zealous
in enforcing our neutrality laws-
Mr. SMITH. That is correct, sir.
Senator EASTLAND. In dealing with Castro.
Mr. SMITH. That is correct.
Senator EASTLAND. As we are at the present time.
Mr. SMITH. That is correct.
Senator EASTLAND. Of course when we enforce them now, we are in
fact aiding Castro, are we not.?
Mr. SMITH. I would say that when Castro came to power, that we
were very diligent in enforcing our neutrality laws. We even moved
people out of Florida; people whom the United States thought might
be active in any counterrevolutionary movement.
However, when I was Ambassador to Cuba, we seemed to have great
trouble in enforcing our neutrality laws.
Senator EASTLAND. I know, but enforcing those laws now is an aid
to the present Government of Cuba, is it not?
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Mr. SSirrn. Yes, sir.
Senator IIim xA. Mr. Smith, moving into another area, what was
the attitude and what were the manifestations on the part of Ameri-
can investors in Tuba in regard to Batista and Castro prior to the time
that Castro actu illy took charge?
Mr. Satrru. I would say that American business was for the Gov-
ernment of Cuba., because the Government of Cuba gave normal pro-
tection to American business.
Senator IInusita. What truth is there to some representations that
some of the big t usiness investments there, investors there, paid a part
of their taxes tc- Castro and a part of their taxes to Batista in the
latter time of Batista's administration ?
Mr. SMITH. All right, sir; I am lad you brought that question up.
The revolutionaries under Fidel Castro demanded tribute through-
out Cuba. By tie fall or the late summer of 1958, they decided to also
demand tribute . from American business and American property
holders.
As soon as I h yard this, I wrote a letter to every American business
in Cuba in which I clearly stated that Americans should not pay trib-
ute, and I asked them not to give any money to the revolutionaries, that
we were still doing business with a friendly government, and that as
Americans we h.d no right to pay money to active revolutionaries
who were trying to overthrow a friendly government by force.
This letter was approved by the State Department before it was
sent out. Every week I regularly had a meeting in my Embassy, of
some of the leading businessmen in Havana, and they assured me that
the Americans w?~re not paying money.
However, towi,rd the closing days of the Batista regime, I believe
some Americans (lid pay protection money. They were paying taxes
to the Batista government and were also paying taxes to the Castro
people. I couldn't prove it. They wouldn't 'let me know.
It was unofficially reported that the revolutionaries demanded
$500,000 from a large, oil company. Otherwise., the rebels said, they
would blow up t `ie refinery of this oil company. The American offi-
cials of the company refused to pay tribute. I give you this as an
example of what tookplace.
Senator Ilnius:cA. To the extent that it might have one on, that
would be testimony to the idea that Batista's hold and control and
ability to protect property was dissipating?
Mr. SITii. That is true.
Senator HRUSi: . His ability to protect was dissipating?
Mr. SMITir. D-sappearing?
Senator IInusE:1. Yes, was disappearing.
Mr. SMITH. T.iat is correct; it was disappearing toward the end,
but now you are :peaking of the last 2 or 3 months of Batista's regime.
In the middle of November 1958-I do not recall exactly the date-
I went to the Stfto Department and I informed Wieland and Itubot-
tom that the Batista government was on its last legs.
They said, "Why do you say that now?" This was a complete re-
versal from my previous position. My previous position had been
that the Batista government was surviving. For many months I had
found it necessary to counteract the slanted opinions of certain people
who wanted to portray chaotic conditions in Cuba and who wanted to
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give the impression that the Government of Cuba would momentarily
fall.
It was an uphill fight to keep reports factual.
In November, I virtually informed the Department that the Batista
government could not survive much longer. They said : "Why is it
going to go? Why do you say that?"
And I said, "Because, until now, the revolutionaries have been tak-
ing amateurish acts in trying to destroy the economy"-the amateur
ish acts were such things as burning the sugar cane kidnapping the
Argentine automobile driver, hijacking airplanes, kidnapping Ameri-
cans-"but now they are getting professional advice."
They said, "What do you mean by `professional advice?"'
I said, "Now they are learning how to destroy the economy by
disrupting the main arteries of transportation."
They have learned how to blow up the correct bridges, to bomb the
main highways so that commerce cannot move in Cuba.
And I said, "They obviously are receiving professional advice."
That was in November. By that time it was clearly obvious that the
tide had swung the other way.
Senator EASTLAND. Who were those individuals in the State De-
partment?
Mr. SMITH. That were doing what, Sir?
Senator EASTLAND. That were slanting the news that way; that
were telling falsehoods; that were pro-Castro.
Mr. SMITII. There were quite a few, Senator.
Senator EASTLAND. Who were they?
Mr. SMITH. I repeat again, Do I have to mention names?
Senator EASTLAND. Yes. We have reasons, Mr. Smith.
Mr. Si rITII. Yes, sir. You see my point : I do not want to get peo-
ple in trouble, either.
Senator EASTLAND. Well, I know that.
Mr. SMITII. Because I do not 'believe that they are dangerous.
If I thought they were dangerous, I would not hesitate.
Senator EASTLAND. I am not certain about that.
Mr. SMITIL All right, sir.
Senator EASTLAND. We have sources of information.
Mr. SMITH. Yes.
I believe Wieland, William Wieland, and that is as far as I would
like to go in the State Department. I had my own troubles in the
Embassy, but I corrected it in the Embassy by never allowing one sin-
gle cable to go out that did not have my signature.
I wrote practically every political cable that went out.
Senator EASTLAND. Who is William Wieland?
Mr. SMITH. He is Director of the Caribbean Division and, Director
of Mexican Affairs in charge of San Domingo, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico.
At that time he had all of Central America in addition to these.
In an embassy where I served as Ambassador at that time, when I
first went there, I saw the difference. Those in the economic field
were pro-Batista because they were dealing with American business.
Those in the political section and the intelligence section were pro-
revolutionary. We could say for humanitarian reasons, or whatever
the reasons may be.
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Mr. Souuwn i.. Mr. Smith, you spoke earlier of the No. 2 CIA man
in your mission having been caught giving aid and comfort to the
Castro forces.
Would you tell us just what it was he did?
Mr. SMITH. Yes. In September 1957, the Navy had an uprising at
Cienfuegos, Cuba. We in the American Embassy were familiar that
a revolt of somt type would take place. That information came to
us through the CIA, or some other source in the Embass .
If I may divert for a minute, that is the trouble with Cubans; they
talk too much. We did not know when it was going to to take place.
We finally hei rd that the revolt at Cienfuegos had been called off.
However, the Navy in Havana forgot to notify the Navy at Cien-
fuegos, and they went on with the revolt while the Navy In Havana
did not participate.
This revolt wi.s squashed by the Batista government.
In the trial of the naval oicers, it came out that the No. 2 man
had said that if the revolution was successful, that the United States
would recognize the revolutionaries.
I do not belie ve that the No. 2 man in the CIA intended to convey
that thought. His story to me was that he had been called over to
interview some glen believed to be doctors, because they were dressed
in white coats, and when they advised him of the revolt that was to
take place they wanted to know what the position of the United
States would be.
And he inadvertently intimated something to the effect of which I
am not quite sure., that the United States might give recognition.
As soon as the Emba.-sy learned of this, I called a meeting of the
Embassy staff and laid down the law that the Ambassador, nor any-
one, could give word as to whom the. United States would recognize;
that there were Daly two people in the United States that had that
authority :
One was the S.~cretary of State and the other was the President of
the United States..
The informati.hn of what had taken place was brought to me by
Batista. Batists, was very indignant. IIowever, I explained what
happened and told hini--Batista--t-hat the CIA man had done this
inadvertently an.l had not realized what lie was saying or to whom lie
was talking.
Batista was coDperative and did not. ask to have the man leave the
country.
Senator IlRUSIIA. Mr. Smith, a little bit. ago you made reference
to the press, cert tin segments of the press, certainly here in America
or even perhaps the world press, who are hostile to the rightist dic-
tators but rather ire receptive to leftist dictators.
Mr. S:iiiTn. I i:id not use the word "receptive."
Senator IIRuaii- s. Sympathetic?
Mr. SMITH.
I said certain influential sources in the United States
who are strongl against dictatorships sometimes seem to feel that
leftist dictators are progressive.
Senator IIRugii. Are progressive.
'hat is your observation or appraisal of the present attitude of
those people with reference to Castro?
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Mr. SMITH. I note with interest that certain portions of the press
who strongly advocated Castro have not yet admitted their error.
Senator HuusKA. Have some admitted?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir, I do not want to mention them. There is no
point in my being crucified by the press, too. But there are certain
very important groups who had a great deal to do with Castro 's rise
to power who I note even today still speak-well, this I can't say defi-
nitely, but I was told that. a certain newspaper wrote an editorial
saying it would be better to have the fall of the Generalissimo Trujillo
in San Domingo and take a chance of having another bearded man
as there is in Cuba than to have the present dictator remain.
I note that such papers still do not admit the error of their ways.
Senator Hnu5I.A. It is of interest and it is of importance, as you can
appreciate, because, after all, this is a composite picture.
Mr. SMITH. Yes.
Senator IIRUSKA. You indicated that yourself : that there were Mem-
bers of Congress, there were the press.
Mr. SMITH. That is right.
Senator HRUSKA. There were certain business interests.
Mr. SMITH. That is true.
Senator HRITSKA. There were certain people in the Government,
State Department, and elsewhere.
Mr. SMITH. That is true.
Senator EASTLAND. He said more than that, Roman. Ile said the
American Government, he would say, through all of its branches.
Mr. SmiTH. When I say the "American Government," obviously, we
are talking about the agencies which compose the American Govern-
ment.
Senator EASTLAND. Of course, but they were primarily responsible
for the rise of Castro.
Mr. SMITH. Without the United States, Castro would not be in
power today. I will put it as straight as that to you, sir.
Senator HIItSKA. But the responsibility for that is a composite
thing ?
Mr. SMITH. Is a composite, that is correct.
Senator llimsKA. There may have been certain quarters in which
there were more virulent advocates than others, but, just the same, it is
a composite' thing. Without that composite nature, very likely, the
result which did follow may not have happened.
Mr. SMITH. That is correct.
In other words, I do not think it is fair to say that this individual
or that individual or that particular agency, in itself, per se, is respon-
sible for Castro coming to power. It is the composite.
Senator EASTLAND. 'The composite of the U.S. Government, is that
it, and its branches?
Mr. SMITH. Composite of those elements that formed the U.S.
Government.
Senator EASTLAND. That formed the U.S. Government.
Mr. SMITH. I mentioned segments of the press, certain Members of
Congress, the CIA, the State Department. All of them took a hand
in this, Senator.
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Senator ])of D. But in any composite picture, I think we all rec-
ognize that tlirre are some influences that are stronger than others.
They are never all rhemine.
Mr. Smirit. No. Some must share a greater part of the guilt than
others.
Senator Doan. And some can do more than others.
Mr. Sxrrnt. And some are in a posit ion to do much more.
Senator Done. That is what I think we are driving at.
Senator EASTTLAND. And the agencies of the U.S. Government could
do, of course, more than Members of Congress or the press or anyone
else.
Mr. SMiTii. '1'htat is true. You have all sorts of agencies.
Senator Dove. Certainly, you can say it (lie other way. You can
say that without the L.S.' Government, (lie other factors of the com-
posite picture could not do anything. If the Government had stood
bran and said, We will not assist. Castro," the fact that there were
many other elements of our society who were sympathetic to him
could not have brought it about; isnrt that trite?
Senator IIar r(A. Converse]
y, if the other elements-and I take
what. we would consider exterior elements; let's take business and
the press- for example, had the press, in its opinion-making power,
been antagonistic toward Castro, no amount of formal governmental
ac(ion could lime overcome, that massive factor.
Mr. Stiirrii. Zhat is true.
Senator IIuu ica. The same thing is true with reference to imple-
menting Castro: If and when business located and having invest-
ments in Cuba would either by blackmail or by so-called taxes support
Financially the Castro movement, that was something which, likewise,
would be very helpful to those who in formal government circles
would say, "Let ,as also Help Castro."
Mr. SnrrTn, 7`hose who paid tribute at the end were doing it, for
their own self-protection because they felt that if they (lid not do it
they were going'o lose their Holdings.
Senator EASTF?AND. As a matter of fact, now, wasn't it the irn-
partiality of t-i U.S. Government that brought Castro to power?
Mr. S:arrrtr. Wasn't it the impartiality ?
Senator EAsTr._~ND. Yes.
Mr. SMITH. E'enator, we are responsible for bringing Castro in
power. I do not .,are how you want to word it.
Senator Dunn. Wouldn't you want to say the partiality?
Senator E:ASTL.AND. I mean the part iality, certainly.
lfr. SarrTrr. S.m.nator, let me explain to you that the United States,
until the advent. of Castro, was so overwhelmingly influential in Cuba
that, as I said li(re a little while ago, the American Ambassador was
the second most important man in Cuba; sometimes even more impor-
tant than the President.
That is because of the reason of the position that the United States
played in Cuba. Now, today, his importance is not very great. I
think there is on% point I would like to bring up, Senator, and that is
the recognition of Castro.
It has always l,eeen the policy of the U.S. Government not to be one
of the first. or one of the last to recognize a friendly government. It
has always been the policy of the U.S. Government., before they recog-
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nized a new Government, to be sure of the following. I do not place
them in order of their importance, but they are-
(a) If a government is Communist or too much infiltrated
with communism.
(b) Whether a Government will honor its international
obligations.
(c) That the new Government can maintain law and order.
And we always hope that they have the support of the people.
In this case, I believe that we were very hasty in the recognition of
the Castro government.
Senator EASTLAND. How long?
Mr. SMITH. Batista left in the early morning hours of January 1,
1959. Several days later, a few days later, a very few days later,
I was called by telephoner-Rubottom told me to come to the United
States.
I said I could not do it right away because at that time I was in the
process of evacuating 2,000 American students and tourists. There
was a complete general strike in effect. I was primarily interested
in seeing that no harm would come to any of these Americans
stranded in Cuba.
I said I could not leave the country and occupy a seat on a plane as
long as an American was trying to get out, so they said, "All right,
when do you think you can come?"
I said I would come as soon as possible.
As soon as all the Americans had been evacuated, I flew to
Washington.
We evacuated all the Americans in two or three days, the whole
2,000.
Then as soon as I arrived in Washington, they told me that we were
going to recognize the new Government and I was to rush back and
do it.
I think it was approximately about 5 days-the 5th, or let's say
around the 6th, of January. At that time Castro had not even arrived
in Havana. Castro was still out in the eastern part of the islands,
wending his way toward Havana.
I am sorry that we did not take more pains in trying to insure that
Castro would honor his international obligations before we recog-
nized him.
I think we were very hasty in our recognition.
Mr. SouRWINE. Mr. Chairman, I have a few points here that I
think, for the record, would be helpful. When you were appointed
Ambassador and before you took that post, did you consult with your
predecessor, former Ambassador Arthur Gardner?
Mr. SMITH. We had lunch together at the 1925 F Street Club, and
I believe that was the only time we met before I went down there.
Mr. SounwINE. Did you have any instructions from the State De-
partment with regard to seeing Gardner or not seeing him?
Mr. SMITH. I do not believe I was told anything one way or an-
other. I do not believe his name was mentioned in that regard.
Mr. SOURWINE. After Castro had established his headquarters in
Oriente Province, were you interviewed by Herbert Matthews in the
New York Times?
Mr. SMITH. After Castro had what?
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Mr. Sounwi~* E. Had established his headquarters in Oriente Prov-
ince.
Mr. Smrru. -ties. Ile was already in Oriente Province. Matthews
wrote his articl_,s which appeared on the front pages of the New York
Tunes in February 1957, and my interview with Castro took place
in the city of Yew York in May or June of 1957.
Mr. Soawir E. I was asking if you had an interview with Mat-
thews afttr-
Mr. Sirrrii. What slid I saay-Castro?
Senator DODD. Yes.
Mr. SMITH. Would you mind reading back what I said, I want to
correct that.
Senator DoDr. You meant Mlattliews?
Dir. SMITH. Let .nee correct that..
Matthhews' ar-icles appeared in the new York Times in February
1957. My interview with Matthews was in New York in May 1957.
Castro landed in the southerit portion of Oriente in December 1956.
Mr. SouawviN . I mean after you were Ambassador, and while Cas-
tro was still in Oriente Province, (lid you have another interview with
Matthews?
Mr. SMITH. I saw Matthews a number of times when he came to
Havana; he would either come to my office at the chancery or lie Game
to see me at the residency.
Air. SorawiNi;. Do you remember a specific occasion on which Mat-
thews suggested to you. or urged upon you, that you visit Santiago;
that you go by tl e heart of rebel territory ?
Dir. SMrru. I do not believe that we ever had a conversation along
those lines.
Mr. Souawi?, Did you, in fact, visit Santiago, Cuba?
Mr. SMITH. I visited Santiago de Cuba in the latter part of July
1957.
Mr. SouawiNi:. Did something occur there about which you pro-
tested?
Mr. SMITH. Ys, it did.
Mr. SouawiNE. What was that?
Mr. Si4irrn. T. ie rough handling of the women in the square of the
city of Santiago,`the women who were known as the Mothers of Santi-
ago.
Mr. SOUnwINE That is, rough handling by the Batista forces?
ir. S3IITii. B-the police.
Mr. SOURWINE. Did you protest this by issuing a statement to the
press?
Mr. SMrrir. When I came out of the city hall, having received the
keys to the city, ,he police were then putting the firehoses and using
the clubs on the w omen and the press asked me fora statement.
I made the following st atement:
"I regret that the people of Santiago are using my presence in San-
tiamo to protest against their Government."
Thereupon, the press said :
"In other wores, are you going to condone these actions? Is this
all you have to sa, ?"
The press demanded to know if the appointment of it new Ambassa-
dor didn't mean a change in U.S. policies. Did the U.S. approve such
violence or not? Diplomatic doubletalk would not suffice.
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I said that I would have a press conference later in the afternoon.
This was at approximately 12:00.
I went to a luncheon, had a meeting with the approximately six or
seven members of the embassy staff who accompanied me to Santiago,
and I issued the following statement, to the best of my recollection :
I repeated what I had said above: that I was sorry that the people
of Santiago were using my presence to protest against their Govern-
ment.
And then I added the sentence :
"And I abhor police brutality."
I also added another sentence :
That I had received a letter from the Mothers of Santiago which I
could not answer but would read with careful consideration, something
along those lines.
Mr. SOURWINE. In doing this, were you acting upon instructions
from the State Department?
Mr. SMITH. No. I went to Santiago with the approval of the State
Department and with the approval of the Batista government.
At that time I had been in Cuba approximately 2 weeks, and I felt
that sooner or later, that I would have to meet up with the issue,
which had us portrayed as being too close to Batista-when I say
"issue," let me explain that.
I would have to meet the issue, "the issue" being that we were con-
sidered too close to the Batista government; and I was trying to ac-
complish step No. 1-to have the U.S. Embassy considered as being
impartial. If I was to carry out the Department's briefings to detach
ourselves gradually from our past overfriendliness with Batista, this
was the time to do it.
Mr. SouRwiNE. When you made that protest, did you consider it
an intervention in the internal affairs of Cuba?
Mr. SMrrrr. No, sir, I did not, and I explained that at great length
to Batista, and Batista agreed with me that he would have done the
same thing under all the circumstances.
Mr. SOURWINE. Did you subsequently discuss that protest with Por-
tuondo Nunez?
Mr. SMITH. Did I subsequently discuss that protest? When I
came to New York or when I went to Washington and went through
New York, to the best of my recollection, it was shortly after that I
stopped in at the United Nations and had a talk with Senator Lodge
and then I met Nunez Portuondo at the Brook Club at 111 East 54th
Street, and we had about an hour's conference, in which I tried to
explain. to him the reasons for my statement, and we had a very
friendly exchange of views.
Mr. SounwINE. Former Ambassador Gardner has told this com-
mittee that William Wieland had a strong influence on Mr. Rubottom.
I take it you agree with that?
Mr. SMITH. That is correct.
Mr. SoulwnNn. Mr. Smith, did you have anything to do with the
arrangements for Castro's visit to the United States in April of 1958,
to address the American Society of Newspaper Editors?
Mr. SMITrr. I most certainly did not.
Mr. SOURwINE. Did you ever talk with Mr. Rubottom about this
visit?
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Mr. S3uITII. No, sir.
Mr. Soi-Rwi, E. Did Mr. Herbert Matthews of the New York Times
have anything to do with the arrangements for Castro's visit to the
United States
Mr. SmrriI. I would not know that..
Mr. Sounwi, E. Did you ever express yourself to the Department
regarding the isdom of this visit?
Mr. SMITH. It took place before I became Ambassador. Therefore,
it. would not be incumbent upon me to make any remarks.
Mr. SouRwi:;E. From your testimony
Senator EAS TAND. Before you became Ambassador?
Mr. SMITai. It took place before I became Ambassador.
Senator Doan. Cast.ro's visit ?
Mr. SDIITII. Castro's visit.
Senator DOD_~. That cannot be so.
lllr. S 1irrii. After I was Ambassador. Castro's visit took place in
tliespringof 1960.
(Discussion off the record.)
Mr. SMITH. Correction on that. Castro's visit to the United States
took place several months after I was no longer Ambassador to Cuba.
Senator EAK?-LAND. lie came here in April 1959.
Mr. SMITH. 'liiid I li?ft Cuba January 20,1959.
Senator EAs ar t D. That is right.
Mr. SouRwi_ E. From your testimony, it would appear that prior
to about September or October of 1958, it was the policy of the United
States to furnish arms and other supplies to the Batista goveriunent;
is that right?
,Ali-. SMITIi. Prior to when?
Mr. Sou'iiwn,~ E. About September or October of 1958.
Mr. SiiiTii. Would you mind reading that question again? I am
sorry I did not get that.
Mr. Souuwl..E. Prior to about September or October of 1958, it. was
the ppolicy of the United States to furnish arms and other supplies to
the I3a.tisi tgov^rnment?
1Ir. SnriTn. N o, sir ; that is not correct.
Mr. Sounwii -E. That is not correct?
Mr.SisiITII. No,sir.
Mr. Sounwi E. Would you correct that, please?
Mr. SSMITH. The policy of the U.S. Government to stop the ship-
input of arms L) Cuba ended in March of 1958-March of 1958.
Earlier in this testimony, I spoke about the Garand rifles, the 1950
Garand rifles. That was stopped, I believe, in March 1958. From
that time on, we no longer licensed the shipment of arms or permitted
the shipment. o-' arms to Cuba.
Mr. SomiwI: E. Former Ambassador Gardner told this committee
that. during hi:i last year as Ambassador to Cuba' there had been an
endless number of shipments of arms and other things to Castro from
the United States.
You testified: these shipments continued during your term as Am-
bassador?
Mr. SMITH. The tempo increased.
Mr. SoURwINE. And they were not suspended or curtailed when we
stopped sendin? arms and supplies to Batista?
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Mr. SMITH. The United States did stop and did apprehend certain
individuals from time to time, but according to the statement of the
revolutionaries themselves, for about every one that the United States
apprehended, nine would get through.
It was about a 10-to-1 ratio.
So I want to make it clear in the testimony that not all shipments
got through. There was an effort made, and they did stop shipments.
Senator EASTLAND. It was not as effective as the effort now?
Mr. SMITH. That is correct, sir; nowhere near-nowhere near.
Mr. SouRWINE. Do you know whether any arms for Castro came
from the American base at Guantanamo?
Mr. SMiTri. The revolutionaries did steal some arms out of Guan-
tanamo Base through the Cubans which are attached there. At Guan-
tanamo Base there are about 10,000 people, 2,500 marines and sailors,
2,500 American dependents, and about 5,000 Cubans who work there.
The Cubans would steal arms and ammunition; yes.
Mr. SOURWINE. Former Ambassador Gardner expressed the opin-
ion in testifying before this committee, that the State Department was
anxious, in his words, "to replace Batista with Castro."
Do you agree with this?
Mr. SMITH. "Was anxious to replace"? No : I do not agree with
that. I think that the State Department did not believe that Batista
should remain in power. However on the other hand, I am sure that
those who are on the fifth floor of tie State Department did not think
very highly of Castro.
Senator DODD. Who is on the fifth floor?
Mr. SMITH. The top, the top echelon. That is the mistake we made.
Decisions were made on the fourth floor.
Senator EASTLAND. That is right; that is what you have said, at
the lower echelons.
Mr. SMITH. And the people on the fifth floor, which is the top
echelon, did not think much of Castro.
Senator EASTLAND. But you have said they did not make the
policies.
Mr. SMITH. I said the policies were made on the fourth floor.
Senator EASTLAND. All right.
Now how did they feel toward Castro?
Mr. SMITH. That is another question.
Senator EASTLAND. Well, how did they feel? They were pro-
Castro, were they not?
Mr. SMITH. I think most of these things, in light of the events, are
self-evident.
Senator EASTLAND. That they were pro-Castro ?
Mr. SMITII. The word "pro-Castro," Senator, is very strong. I
think that they were sympathetic to Castro.
Senator DODD. Do I understand correctly from what you tell us-
let me put it two ways : (1) The fifth floor did not know what the
fourth floor was doing. Is that your position?
Senator EASTLAND. Yes; he said
Mn SMITH. I say it this way : I think that the fifth floor was not
as interested in the affairs of Cuba, until late in 1958, as I had hoped
they would be.
I have learned from experience and observation that in our system
the actions by the lower echelon and those who are influential in the
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lower echelon fo Tin our policy, and when those higher up act upon
them, the policies have already been determined by events.
That is the reason why a little earlier I said I would like to make a
recommendation flat, when something as important as our attitude
toward a, friendly, oovernnient arises, (lie National Security Council
or some such body determine what is in the best interests of the United
States. All govt~rnmenfal department actions should be unified and
guided according to the policy laid down from above.
Senator EASTL.ND. That means you had no confidence in the fourth
floor, then?
Mr. SuIITH. When you are an Ambassador, you have nothing to do
with. policy. , Ii c u follow your instructions.
Senator L` AsTLiYtin. I understand that.
Mr. SMITH. All you can do is recommend, and I recommended
plenty. I am no`_ bashful, Senator. If 'ou will subpena records, you
will see I recomn ended plenty of them, sir.
Senator IlASTi.aND. It means you had no confidence in the fourth
floor, doesn't it?
Mr. SMITH. At. times there was disagreement between me and the
fourth floor of the State Department.
Senator EARTL lfin. Y VS.
Mr. SMrrit. I 's.
Senator D ODD. Where did Rubottom-where was his office, fourth
or fifth floor?
Mr. Sairrii. 11 ? is the Lop man on (lie fourth floor.
Senator Dow). Iie is the upper, upper middle?
-Ir. Sa1Ii'II.'o, sir. Ile is the Assistant Secretary of State for
Latin American Affairs, and he sits on the fourth floor, and when you
ro to the fifth floor, that is where the Secretary of State and the
Under Secretaric are..
Mr. Souiiwixi. Former Ambassador Gardner told its there was no
question-in his words---"that Mr. by Rubottom, while he was in
charge of Latin .'vinerican Affairs for Ole State Department, favored
Cast ro."
1)o you agree with this?
Mr. Salmi. Once I had made up my mind, which was obvious,
that if Castro succeeded to power, that it was not in the best interests
of the United States, and also not in the best interests of Cuba, I used
every power within my means to try to have the State Department
cooperate with he existing government and to adhere strictly to a
nonintervention policy.
I believe that. Roy Bubottoni, when I first went down to Cuba,
would like to have cooperated with the existing regime.
Ile was, I relc:eat, under terrifi:_ pressure by Members of Congress,
I rc eat. Ile. N.`as called before a subcommittee such as this on a
number of occasions, by the press, by all these various sources that I
mentioned. Ile told nue once over tlac, I elephone that it was perfectly
evident to him now that as far as the sympathy of (lie United States
was concerned, i was no longer with Batista.
I think that i:; the brit. answer I can give you to the. question.
Senator EAST .AND. Yet, lee yielded to the pressure?
Mr. Sar1Ti1. Ile sure yielded, yes, sir; he said he did,
Mr. SouitwINL. Mr. Smith, slid you have, or do you have, any
reason to believe that the State Department or State Department ofli-
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cials know in December 1958 that Castro was coming into power at
the end of the year?
Mr. SMITH. The State Department knew that Batista was through
in December 1958, and as soon as Batista was through, it was obvious
that only one person was going to come into power, and that was
Fidel Castro.
Mr. SouRWINE. Did you know that Mr. Dulles had urged a Cuban
diplomat in December 1958 to leave Cuba immediately with his entire
family and without giving anyone any explanation?
Mr. SMITH. A Cuban diplomat?
Mr. SouRwINE. Yes.
Mr. SMITH. To leave?
Mr. SOURWINE. Yes.
Mr. SMITH. No, sir; I did not.
Mr. SOURWINE. Do you know of any warnings that were given any-
one by the State Department, or State Department officials, to get out
before Castro came in?
Mr. SMITH. No; I do not think we gave anybody any warnings to
leave. Thirty days before Batista left, I sent a telegram to the State
Department reporting a meeting of the leading American businessmen
and myself at the Embassy, and I said that Batista probably would
not survive beyond January 1.
We hit the date right on the nose-the day he left.
I further went on to say that we would either have to, step in and
support a broadly based provisional government or Castro would take
over and that if Castro took over, the only ones that would benefit
would be the Communists.
Mr. SourwINE. Mr. Smith, former Ambassador Gardner expressed
the view that Castro was a Communist tool rather than being himself
an active Communist.
Do you agree with that?
Mr. SMITIi. Castro was a revolutionary and a terrorist.
From the time that he was a university student, he was a gun-toter.
I was informed by a diplomat that he had killed one nun and two
priests in Bogota during the uprising in 1948.
I checked very carefully into Mr. Castro's background shortly after
I was there and talked to people in Cuba who were anti-Batista but
who knew Castro well; I would rather not mention their names because
I do not want to get them into trouble. There were many.
There is no question that Castro was a revolutionary and a terrorist
but whether he started out as a Communist or not, I doubt. I believe
that the beginning of his 26th of July Movement was a leftist revo-
lutionary movement. There are many that exist in the world. But his
brother Raul was different; "Che" Guevara was different. Guevara
was and is a Marxist.
I do not think there is any question or doubt about their Marxist
theories.
But Fidel Castro did make a number of statements at Costa Rica
and out of Mexico which clearly showed his Marxist line of thinking.
He was also an active member, as a student, of the FEU (a radical
group)
I brought that to the attention on numerous occasions of various
newspaper people when they came down and asked them, when they
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visited Castro in th.s hills, whether they would get. Castro to repudiate
any of those staten_ents. To the best of my knowledge, he never did.
Mr. SOUItwINE. fs there any doubt in your mind that the Cuban
Government, under Castro, is a Communist government?
Mr. SMITH. Now?
Mr. SouRwINE. Yes.
1Mr. SMITH. I would go furt.lier. I believe it is becoming a satellite.
Senator Dove. You mean a Communist satellite?
Mr. SMiTli. A Coninnuiist satellite. I made a. speech in Miami
early last. winter ii, which I said that I believe that there would be it
mutual security pa?t formed between Cuba and the U.S.S.R. and (lie
reasons for it were:
That there was no doubt that Fidel Castro was now close to the
Soviets. Otherwis ., he would not have been as brazen in his attacks
upon the United Slates. It was perfectly obvious that. lie knew lie
could get. support front the Soviets.
The Russians four some time have been very piqued-flee word
"piqued" is probably a mild word--with the tact that the United
States has mutual security pacts with Turkey and Iran, which are
directly on the borders of Russia.
The Chinese, as you know, do not, like our mutual security pact with
Formosa and are particularly indignant at our having the position we
have taken regardiri r the islands of Quemoy and Matsu.
The logical thing for the Russians to do would be to move into Cuba
which they had all eady done., and to take over, which they would do
by a mutual securit s' pact.
Then, when the United States objects, all they have to say is:
"We will get out )f Cuba when you get out of Turkey."
Senator Doric. Yon are not. suggesting-----
Mr. SMIITIt. That is a speech I made in February.
Senator Doan. Ycs, but you are. not suggesting that the Communists
will cease and desist. from their activities in tuba and Central and
,South America, or anywhere else, if we get out of these other places?
Mr. SMITir. Out .of Turkey?
Senator DODO. Yes.
Mr. S.lirrii. It. would inean a great deal to them if we got out of
Turley. I ion no c,xpert on Turkey.
Senator Donn. You do not have to be an expert. on Turke , but you
ought. to be a little. bit of an expert. on the Communists to know this
would not. follow at all.
Every time we have retreated from one place, they have moved into
new areas.
Mr. SMITIu. Servitor, I did not say what. they would do.
Senator Doan. I know, but.
Mr. S3IITii. That, they would move into Cuba to retaliate with us.
Senator DoDD. 'I his is a. statement. being made all the time. It is
not very pertinent to our enquiry today, but I think it is doing great
damage in the sense it is confusing the American people.
People like you are telling the American people, if we get out of
Formosa, off Quenioy and Matsu, and abandon our bases in Turkey
and other places, which we have there because of the aggressive con-
diict of the Communists, that, therefore, the Communists would cease
to be aggressive.
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COMMUNIST THREAT TO U.S. THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN 709
It is one of the most sinister and, I think, damaging things that is
being said and done. I am sorry to say that to you but I must say so.
Mr. SMITH. Senator, I dial not say
Senator DODD. I do not say it is intentional, but it is confusing our
people.
Mr. SMITI-I. Senator, I did not say that what we were doing in For-
mosa or in Turkey was not correct. I merely said that if you think
through the Russian point of view, it was logical to assume that they
would move into Cuba as a retaliation for what we are doing to them.
That is all I said.
Senator DODD. I do not want to argue the point.
Mr. SouRwrNE. I have just one or two more questions, sir.
Do you, or did you, know General.Tabernilla, the former chief of
staff of the Cuban Army?
Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir.
Mr. SouawiNE. General Tabernilla has told this committee that
just before he resigned his post, he conferred with you.
Mr. SMITh . That is correct.
Mr. SOURWINE. Do you remember this? Can you give us briefly the
gist of that conference?
Mr. SMITH. I believe it was the day after Christmas, December 26,
1958. I received word from the military attache that General Taber-
nilla, who was in charge of all the Armed Forces of Cuba, and his
son, Gen. Carlos Tabernilla, who was in charge of the Air Force,
and Gen. Del Rio Chaviano, who had formerly been in charge of the
forces in Oriente Province, wanted to have an interview.
So it was arranged at the American Embassy.
They arrived in their police cars and they came into the Embassy
residence.
General Tabernill.a said he wished to talk with me alone and his
son and the other general went in the adjoining room.
At the time General Tabernilla said that the Cuban soldiers would
not fight any longer and that the Cuban Government, per se, would
not be able to last.
Ile stated that the purpose of his visit to me was to save Cuba from
chaos, Castro, and communism.
Ile said he wanted to form a military junta comprised of himself,
I believe the names were, General Cantillo, General Soa Quesada,
Colonel Casores, and an officer of the navy.
He said that they wanted to give Batista safe convoy out of the
country, wanted to know whether I would support such a junta.
I said that I would report the conversation to the State Department,
but that I was sure they would not give me a direct reply to give to
him, and I said that would be correct, because I added :
"If we answer you directly, it would be undermining General Ba-
tista, and I can only do business with Batista because I am accredited
to him."
General Tabernilla asked me what suggestions I had to make.
I said, "Have you mentioned this visit to me to Batista?
And he said, "No, I have not." He said, "I have not told him I
was coming to see you, but I have discussed in general our future
possibilities with Batista."
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I asked hiri what Batista said, anti he replied, "IIe told nic to come
up with a~i la i."
I told Tab:+rnilla ho should go back and talk it over with Batista
and that any suggestion coming from Batista, I would relate to the
State Depart cent. Then we could continue our exchange of views.
If you wish me to go into more detail on this meeting, I would be
very glad to co it. That is generally in capsule form what took place.
Mr. SOUtawtNE. Was this after you had seen Batista and advised
him that the American Government felt that his Government could
not persist anti he had to get out?
Mr. SMzrru. I saw Batista on December 17, 1958, and this confer-
ence you are talking about took place December 26, 1958.
Mr. SocxwixE. So when you saw Tabernilla, you already had told
Batista lie ought to get out?
ilfr. S3rrrrr. I did not tell Batista he ought to get out. I would not
put it. so blun;.ly as that. I spent 2 hours and 35 minutes trying to
tactfully expl,din that the Department believed lie had lost effective
control. To avoid further bloodshed, did he not think it might be in
the best intcrets of all concerned if he retired. This had to be done
without giving the impression that I was intervening.
Mr. Sovnwn j. I have just two more little matters.
One, do you think the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo is in any
dagger?
Mr. SMrrir. I think five platoons of Marines could lick the rebels.
How could tht naval base at Guantanamo be in any danger?
:1Ir. 5oa;rc~vra s. One more thing.
What do yor, think of the proposal that a Spanish language radio
station be estailished at Key West or some similar point to acquaint
the Cubans with the U.S. position ?
Mr. S3riTrr. .` (]link lliat would be very helpful.
Senator DAS"Lnxn. Mr. Smith, we certainly thank you. I would
like to have a little executive session.
(Whereupon, at 12:30 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.)
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INDEX
NOTE.-The Senate Internal Security Subcommittee attaches no significance
to the mere fact of the appearance of the name of an individual or an organi-
zation in this index.
A Page
Aguero, Rivero------------------------------------------------ 686, 687, 694
Ambassador to Brazil------------------------------------------------ 671
Ambassador to Costa Rica------------------------------------------ 670, 671.
Ambassador to Cuba-------------------------- 664, 666, 668, 669, 674, 675, 679
Ambassador to Mexico---------------------------------------------- 670
American Embassy (in Cuba) -------------------------- 697, 698, 703, 707, 709
American Foreign Power -------------------------------------------- -_ 667
American Society of Newspaper Editors-------------------------------- 703
Agramonte --------------------------------------------------------- 693
Argentina ----------------------------------------------------------- 669
Army, U.S.----------------------------------------------------------- 664
Arroya -------------------------------------------------------------- 691
B
Batista------------------------------- 665-667, 671-676, 682-684, 686-690, 693,
694, 696, 698, 701-705, 707, 709, 710
Batista government---------------------------------------- 684, 688-690, 693
Betancourt-------------------------------------------------------- 690,693
"Bogoloza" ---------------------------------------------------------- 690
Bogoti,------------------------------------------------------------ 689,707
Brazil--------------------------------------------------------------- 671
Brook Club, 111 East 54th Street------------------------------------- 703
Bundy Tubing Co---------------------------------------------------- 663
C
Campa, De La------------------------------------------------------ 691
Cantillo, General----------------------------------------------------- 709
Cardona, Miro------------------------------------------------------- 693
Caribbean Division, Central American Affairs-------------------------- 682
C6sores, Colonel ------------------------------------------------------ ,. 709
Castro, Fidel------------------------------ 665-668,670-677,679,682-684,686,
687, 689-692, 694-701, 704-708
Castro, Raul --------------------------------------------------- 667,688,707
"Castro worship"---------------------------------------------------- 668
Chicago paper-------------------------------------------------------- 675
Chief of CIA Section------------------------------
Chinese ----------------------------------------------------------- 678, 679
CIA---------------------------------------------------- ---.678, 684, 698, 699
Cienfuegos, Cuba -------------------------------------------- - ---- 698
Cienfuegos revolution----------------------------------------------- 694
CMQ (radio station)-----------------=------------------------------- 678
Colombia---------------------------------------------------------- 676, 690
Communist card------------------------------------------------ ---- 667
Communist dictators------------------------------------------------- 677
Costa Rica---------------------------------------------670,671,686,689,707
Cuba--------------------------------------------------------------- 664-710
Cuban Air Force------------------------------------------------------ _687
Cuban Army-------------------------------------------------------- -.709
Cuban Embassy---------------------------------------------------- 691,692
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II INDEX
Del Rio Chaviano, Gen-----------------------------------------------
709
Davis, Itiehar3 Harding_____________________________________________
668
Detroit--------------------------------------------------------------
GG3
Dodd, Senator Thomas J------------------------------------------ 663, 681
Dubois----------------------------------------------------------------- G75
Dulles, Mr---------------------------------------------------------
707
Eastland, Bear tor James---------------------------------------------
681
Eisenhower, G meral-----------------------------------??----------CXA
Eisenhower, Dr. Milton---------------------------------------------- OG9
F
FBI-----------------------------------------------------------------
608
FEU (a radical group) -------------------------------------------- 689,
707
Florida----------------------------------------------------------- 672,
095
Formosa-------------------------------------------------------------
708
Fort Lauderda"e, Fla--------------------------------------------------
691
G
Garand rifles---------------------------------------------------------
704
Gardner, Aruba sador Arthur----------------------------------- 701, 703-707
Testimony of------------------------------------------------- 603-080
Gettysburg -----------------------------------------------------------
NJ
"Gringo"-------------------------------------------------------------
004
Guantanamo 7lase--------------------------------------------- 078, 705,
710
Guell, Gonzalo------------------------------ ---
----------------------
691
Guevara, "Che"-------------------------------------------------------
707
H
Ilaiti -----------------------------------------------------------------
6137
Haitian Embarsy------ .___________________ --
----------------------------------------------
673
673
6Cr4, 690, 698, 701,
702
Henderson, Lo5'------------------------------- -------------------- 607,
668
Ilerter, Cbristlan-------------------------------------------------- 667, G68
Hill, Robert--------------------------------------------------------
670
Hruska, Sena-or----------------------------------------------------
681
I
Immigration----------------------------------------------------------
679
Iran------------------------------------------------------------------
708
H
Key M'est----------------------------------------------------- 664, 078,
710
Keys----------------------------------------------------------------
672
Kirkpatrick-----------------------------------------------------------
678
Latin America-------------------------------------------- 605, 671, 673,
677
Latin American Affairs, Assistant Secretary of State for------------- 669,
670
Latin American: Department--------------------------------------- 6G9,
670
Latin Americar desk-------------------------------------------------
667
Lodge, Senator------------------------------------------------------
703
Madrid--------------------------------------------------------------
000
Malacon-------------------------------------------------------------
669
Bann, Thomas- ------------------------------------------------------
070
Matsu ---------------------------------------------------------------
708
Matthews, Ilertert L------------------ 660, 608, 674-077, 082-686, 701, 702,
704
Mexico----------------------------------------------- 670, 080, 689, 697,
707
Miami ------------------------------------------------------------- 665,
708
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INDEX III
Page
Murphy,Secretary ---------------------------------------------- 666y668,674
Murphy, Robert------------------------------------------------------ 667
Mutual aid pact------------------------------------------------------ 671
_ ,
New York Stock Exchange--------------------------------------------
681
New York Times___________________________ 674, 682, 683, 685, 686,701, 702,
704
No. 2 CIA man------------------------------------------------------
698
Nunez, Portuo?ndo-----------------------------------------------------
703
0
Office of Production Management_____________________________________
682
Organization of American States______________________________________
693
Oriente Mountains of Cuba___________________________________________
686
Oriente Province ------------------------------------------ 677, 701, 702,
709
P
Pawley, William-----------------------------------------------------
671
President (United States)__________________________________________ 698,
700
Prio, President------------------------------------------- 694, 665, 672,
679
Pro-Castro------------------------------------------------------------
675
Q
Quemoy -------------------------------------------------------------- 708
R
Radio station OMQ---------------------------------------------------
678
Rhode Island---------------------------------------------------------
681
Robin Hood ----------------------------------------------------------
668
Rubottom, Roy R., Jr---------- 667-671, 685, 688, 600, 692, 693, 696, 701, 703,
706
Russia-------------------------------?--------------------------------
677
Russian------------------------------------------------------- 672, 678,
679
Sterling, Marquez-------------------------------------------------- 672,
673
Switzerland -----------------------------------------------------------
664
T
Tabernilla, General________________________________________________ 709
710
,
Tabernilla, Gen. Carlos__________________ -_
---------------------------
400
Tank Corps----------------------------------------------------------
664
Topping, John--------------------------------------------------------
694
Treasury, Secretary of___________________ --
---------------------------
664
Trujillo, Generalissimo -----------------------------------------------
669
Turkey ---------------
708
Twenty-sixth of July 673, 692, 693,
707
National Security Council__________________________________________
688
706
San Domingo ------------------------------------------------------- 697,699
Santiago de Cuba_______________________________________ 675,677,678,702,703
Secretary of State - ---- ----- - - -- --- -- ---- 698
Security Department (State)_________________________________________ 669
Sierra Maestra Range------------------------------------------------ 686
Smith, Earl E. T------------------------------------------- 668, 674, 675, 677
Testimony of--------------------------------------------------- 681-710
Snyder, John-------------------------------------------------------- 664
Soa Quesada, Gen---------------------------------------------------- 709
South Oriente ------ ------------ ------------ ---- --- -- --- -- 685
Spain------------------------------------------------------------- 675, 683
State Department, U.S--------------------------------------------- 666-670,
672, 674, 676, 677, 682, 683, 685, 687-690, 694-697, 699, 701, 703-707,
709, 710.
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TV INDEX
U Page
United Nations---------------------------------------------------- G93,
703
3
6
Urrutla--------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.S.R - ---- ----?----------------- ------------------------------
W
03
War Department----------------------------------------------------
G02
War Production BoarI --------------------------------------------- 864,
082
Watch Ilill, R.I------------------------------------------------------
663
Whitetower-----------------------------------------------------------
671
Wieland, William------------------------ 071, 682, 684, 085, 693, 090, 697,
703
Williamson, Earl J--- ------------------------------------------------
677
Wollam, Park F----- --------------------------------------------------
678
World War I--------------------------------------------------------
G64
World War II--------------------------------------------------------
Y
664
Yale University------------------------------------------------------
681
Q
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