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"The very practical fact that Cuba is potentially one of the greatest customers of the American continent for United States goods and that she herself depends upon fair and generous treatment from the United States for her economic life, all combine to demand today, more than ever before, that the two nations join as equal, sovereign and independent partners in the consideration of those measures best adapted to further the economic and commercial interests of each one of them and of the world at large."
Again on the deck of the Peten last week he tried to make New York reporters believe that there would be no U. S. intervention, no official pressure on the Machado Government.
"I am sailing," said he, "with the belief that the relations between this country and Cuba will be that of sovereign countries. . . . Political unrest in Cuba is something which concerns the Government of that country alone."
Dictator Machado believed that a show of good intentions was at least worth trying. While the Peten was still at sea he suddenly signed orders liberating some 300 political prisoners. At the same time walls and fences broke out in a rash of red-lettered posters: OPPOSE AMERICAN INTERVENTION. To the delight of U. S. correspondents, plans for a magnificent "Red Riot" leaked out three days too soon. According to the scheme Dictator Machado's ever useful Porra (strongarm squad) was to equip a mob of hoodlums with sticks, red flags, Communist banners. Just as the Peten was warping in to its berth the "Communists" would assemble at the quayside with hideous cries and frightening gestures. At the proper dramatic instant up would rush a squad of well-groomed police to disperse the howling Communists in the most efficient manner. All this would entertain and instruct Senor Welles during the irksome time that his baggage was being landed. The arrival and landing of Ambassador Welles was not quite according to schedule. For some unexplained reason he disembarked with Charge d'Affaires Edward L. Reed at the port captain's pier instead of at the dock where the Machado reception committee was waiting for him. Embarrassed by advance publicity, the great "Red Riot" was called off. but again there was confusion. Half an hour after the scheduled time, 50 pseudo-Communists turned up at the pier to "riot," were shooed away by disgusted police.