oe poet Foon wees a PSE an 3 ae \ ° . . <a WO Wer a % O Memordna Um UNITED -STATESGOVERNMENT axe) : . Director, FBI a 7 DATE: May 12, 1952 ~ » CE INFORMATION CHIFEME we FROM : - poe Attache, Havana Cuba (109-32) 1S UNCLASSIFIED Ex repr . Se supject: ° XJUNTA REVOLUCIONARIA constr Tucronay, WHERE SHON SES ; ange FOREIGNPOLITICAE MATTER CE . ; | : kes -| rn re ™ Carlos PriO™ SOA ros: oi | Re Havana letters May 6 and May 8 last concerning the above. The latter letter transmitted a copy of a memorandum which we had furnis to the Ambassador here on the possibilities of a counter revolution her e| 3 ag on the part of elements of the government of ex- Nance CARLOS PRIO, t headed by former Minister of Education AURA) a ARANGO. ¢ Following the delivery of the smmcrand to is Ambassador, he .. called a meeting at which werg, present Mr. E. T. CRAIN, Deputy Chief ay _ Mission, R. E. GOMEZ,(Attach charge of the CIA office here, Col. \ WILLIAM PITTS, Assistant Air Attache, the Ambassador and the Legal Attact , At this meeting the Ambassador stated that Mr. JOHN BONDS, head of the INS. N office hare, had reported information confirming. the fact that the pilot,. ,_. EDWARD W wi MURPHY; ‘had landed at Santiago,’ Cuba alone after having taken : &\ off from ssau with Sanchez Arango and ex~National Police Captain RAUL RODE ODRIGUEZMGANEOSs« INS had determined that MURPHY's arrival date in Santiag \ tad been 2-52 and i) t he had returned alone to Miami the following day via Camague Cuba. a enews VioLera\daRes =. Ss There was considerable discussion of ‘memorandum during which the Ambassador indicated that he. considered it entirely plausible and possible that elements of the former PRIO government might stage a counter, revolution, they having | had d plenty of revolutionary experience in the e years . preeedifig “the fall of Dicator MAC! MACHADO and apart’ trom this they are re well equipped with funds gtoren from the Cuban Government during the time PRIO ARS was “in7power amt SI uj. . Vio Leta iu) At the meeting, Mr. GOMEZ of the CIA advised. that in the latter f March, 1952, they had..obtained.a mail intercept which a rently contained some cryptic information about!a “possible revolution. He_said é had not considered that this. information had any local interest and - that for that reason he had not distributed it-locally,.although he had sent it into his headquarters. “It appeared -rather ,obvious~that the |Anbassador was somewiat astc astounded and taken aback by GOMEZ" statement that : he “did not consider that the info information: had any Local. interest./ ye Pe acanaetER UM Y GOMEZ did not disclose the source of his intercept but we an rather certain that Lt was furnished to him by the Cuban Army SIM. fut Ah Ct ATTACHE subsequently made available a memorandum on 5-952, ithe) ® © 7 eso which he attached photographs of the material contained in the intercept. © When these photographs are studied in conjunction with the information set f. ._ @ forth in reference letter of 5-6-52 which furnished information reported by pve Cuban Army agent ms it appears that RE apnspeeh porare. s the cee of <a » 5 Nat ee an /O Go Lio, Jey Enelosure pd, yo 3 pel ie j sit 2 29 1952. x, HY 50953 Boctd: 32296932 Page 2?
O * _ Stans FORM NO, e4 » - vee neg > oe Office Memorandum e UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : . Director, FBI - “DATE: May 12, 1952 ~ i INFORMATION CHI | wr FROM : legal Attache, Havana, Cuba (1o9—zeft ‘e GNOLASGIFIED EXEPT Sa sunjact: JUNTA. RVOLUCTONARTA CONSTITUCTONAL WHERE SHONE | OTHE RNS aren zg Pore TON A ORETTORE MA TTER ee go Be, Re Havana letters May 6 and May 8 last concerning the above. \/ The latter letter transmitted a copy of a memorandum which we had furnts| 2d. to the Ambassador here on the possibilities of a counter revolution here on the part of elements of the government of ex~¥ . headed by former Minister of Education AURELIANO Vu \ Following the delivery of the memorandum to th Ambassador, he = “) \ 3 called a theeting at which werg present Mr. E. T. CRAIN, Deputy Chief of (G/U * yo fission, R. E. GOMEZ,(Attach charge of the CIA office here, Col. 2; a4 Tre NE WILLIAM PITTS, Assistant Air Attache, the Ambassador and the Legal Attacf el ‘3 NK At this meeting the Ambassador stated that Mr. JOHN BONDS, head of the INS office hare, had reported information confirming the fact that the pilot, ’ EDWARD Wé\MURPHY, had landed at Santiago, Cuba alone after having taken \. off from Nassau with Sanchez Arango and ex-National Police Captain RAUL ne ,ODRIGUEZMGANTOS. INS had determined that MURPHY's arrival date in SantiagoS a) d been N2_ 52 and Kal t he had returned alone to Miafi the Following day, nN Mi <.) via Camaguey, Cuba. y memorandum during whith aS C the Ambassador indicated that he considered it_ entirely plausible | and _ possible that elements of the former PRIO gover révolution, they having ha £5 né preceding ‘the fall of Dic equipped with funds ' was” “ipower. ° es a part ” they” are well gtolen | from ‘the Svban Government during the time. PRIO- ou At the meeting, Mr. GOMEZ of the CIA advised that in the latter / f March, 1952, they_had.obtained a mail intercept which apparently ||contained some cryptic information aboutia a possible revolution. He_said | |that he had “not considered that this information had any local interest and ||thet for that reason he had not distributed it, locally,..although..he had sent i it into his headquarters.” Tt, appeared _ rathe obvious. -that the GOMEZ did not disclose the source of his intercept but we 5 3) ster certain that it was furnished to him by the Cuban Army SIM. ( fy) we ERGO ee “gone sibsequently made available a memorandum on 5~-9-52, with« i which he attached photographs of the material contained in the intercept. When these photographs are studied in conjunction with the information set “forth in reference letter of 56-52 which furnished information reported by < fs, : Cuban Army agent Ml, it appears that the. antercept’ portrays the details of (By %e . : sal ENCL te 2 : Scare Ast peep LY, Fo Lop —, \ f AA ot 8 ts wi & © Enclosure _ ptr no me 4 INDEXED D 5.8 ie - lt? 29 1952 i / | BOM “ 2 ot Us op Me WW.50953.. Deca: 322989392" Page. pe ston Sena
nee ee Seen wen by SSCoPK TASK FORCE a | a on IYI? RO - op RELPASRINPULD. 9, (} RELEASE IN PART Fe fl TOTAL DENIAL : = . -
Tot _ Director, FBI May 12, 1952 Havana, Cuba Sub jects JUNTA REVOLUCIONARIA CONSTITUCIONAL FOREIGN POLITICAL MATTER an egret on ne ee the plan outlined by M1. A copy of GOMEZ' memorandum, as well as the. photographs furnished with the memorandum, are being furnished the Bureau with this letter. No copies of the photographs are being retained in the | Havana office, inasmuch § as GOMEZ only made one set available. (Bw The above information concerning the meeting and GOMEZ' statement is considered as administrative in nature and is furnished for the Bureau's confidential information; it is. suggested thgt it not be disseminated outside the Bureau for obvious reasons. bs) ut) AY The only other recent development i this matter is the following: On the afternoon of 5-8-52, Mr. JOHN BONDS of the INS reported a that he had received information from INS in Miami that SANCHEZ _ARANGO was oe? rumored to k in Miami; BONDS said that INS was trying to verify this sineé if it were true, SANCHEZ EZ ARANGO.had..doubtLess-re-—entered. the U. 5. illegally. cease, On the evening of 5-852, Cuban Minister of Defense NICOLAS. PEREZ HERNANDEZ requested SA CLARK D. ANDERSON of this office to call at the Ministry as soon as possible. ANDERSON had previously met the Minister through an office contact and friend, LUIS CASTELLANOS, -who has a very close connec tion with the Minister. ; a ee le nn at Ring Ie Aen cet Ae ee le te had landed at a-poInt KNGMT aS Lote Colored tn the Province of Oriente, Cubs; wheré two men, believed to be SANCHEZ ARANGO and RODRIGUEZ SANTOS, had~beft the planes” “He” said that he had subsequently received information which he considered completely reliable—tothe_effect_that SANCHEZ, ARANGO - had come into Havana. He said that they had just received information that ‘ SANCHEZ EKRANGO fad gone back to Miami and requested that this. office endeavor to verify this fact inasmuch as they desired to continue the search ' for SANCHEZ ARANGO if he was still in Cuba. The Minister was told that SANCHEZ ARANGO is the subject of an’ INS inquiry in Miami and that in the evéit he is lécated in Wiam, he will be advised. sins emna einen ATC RECT NE NAITO “(Ny An extra copy of this letter together with a copy of GOMEZ' - pe memorandum of 5-9-52 is attached for forwarding to the Miami office. It. is being left to the discretion of the Bureau as to whether copies of the’ photographs enclosed with GOMEZ’ memorandum ‘are furnished to Miami, it -' being noted that: this material was mailed in Miami on 3-23-52 in an envelope of the Hotel Vereen, 313-315 North Miami Avenue, Miami. Yu) HY 50953 DBoctd: 32296932 Page 5
ee | 2. = : ~ a : Tos Director, FBI | May 12, 1952 ‘ =. ; Havana, Cuba Subjects JUNTA REVOLUCIONARTA Con oo J re STLTUCIONAL FOREIGN POLITICAL MATTER 7 the plan outlined by M-1. A copy of GOMEZ! memorandum, as well as the photographs furnished: with the memorandum, are being furnished the: Bureau. with this letter. No copies of the photographs are being retained;in the Havana office, inasmuch ‘as GOMEZ only made one set available. () The above information concerning the meeting and GOMEZ" statement is considered as administrative in nature and is furnished for the Bureau! s confidential information; it is suggested that it not be disseminated outside the Bureau for obvious Yeasonse (U) , The only other recent development in’ this matter is the following: - - On the afternoon. of 58-52, Mr. JOHN -BONDS of the INS reported . that he had received information’ from-INS in Miami that SANCHEZ ARANGO wag rumored to be back in Miamis BONDS said that INS was trying to verify thig- since if it were true, SANCHEZ ARANGO had doubtless ré-entered the Y. 8. illegally. On the evening of 5-852, Guban Minister of Defense NICOLAS PEREZ HERNANDEZ requested SA CLARK Dv ANDERSON of this office to call at the Ministry. as soon.as possible, ANDERSON had previously met the Minister through an office contact and friend; LUIS CASTELLANOS, who has a very close connection with the Minister.. - 4, PEREZ advised that thé Cuban.Air Force had verified that MURPHY had landed at a point known ag ‘Loma Colorado ‘in the Province of Oriente, Cuba, where two:men, believed tobe SANCHEZ ARANGO and RODRIGUEZ SANTOS, > had Left the plane. He said that’ he had subsequently received information which he ‘considered completely reliable to ‘the effect that SANCHEZ. ARANGO: had come-into Havana. He-said that they had just received information that . “SANCHEZ ARANGO had_gone-back- to-Miamt aiid sequedtéd that this offices 7 endeavor to verify this fact. inasmuch as they desired to continue the search for SANCHEZ ARANCO if he was still in, Cuba, The Minister was told that “s SANCHEZ /ARANGO’ is the subject of an INS inquiry in Miami and that in the event he is located in Miami, he willbe advised. a ee An extra copy of -this Letter together with a copy of. GOMEZ" —_ memorandum of -5<9-52 is attached fon.ferwarding to the Miami office. TE is being left to the discretion of ttm eau as to whether copies of the photographs enclosed with GOMEZ memoranda are furnished: to Miami, Lt being noted that this material was mailed in Mami on. 3-23+52-in an envelope of the Hotel Vereen; 313-3L5 North Miami Avenue, Miami. ie. De - 4 a cee, Ce HY 50953 DBoctd: 32296932 Page 6 /
mtg 00 SEAS fe | lop 12, ee ON Havana, Guba Director, FBI Legal At tache, , Havana, Cuba (109.32) JUNTA REVOLUCTONARTA CONSTI TICIONAL, . eman an Seneltec x8  F-50-9) aren ae m is a Ze , 2 , , I" oS a SANS ros Re Havana letters May 6 and May 8 last concerning the above. ES Sot The latter Letter transmitted a copy of a memorandiin which we had furnished Eee. to the Ambassador here on the possibilities of a counter revoluigen hege phat Bo on the part of elements of the government of. emresidemmCARLOS PRIQQE OC HAS Va ess headed by former ‘linister. of Education AURELIAN), SANGHRZ-ABANGO. Sg 8 Following the delivery of the memorandum to the hinbassador y@ ae ony “2 called a neeting at which were present Mr. BE. T. GRAIN, Deputy Chief o fe i cS = an Mission, H. EB. GOMEZ, Attache in charge of the CIA office here, Col. ¢ . fA D tee GF pe WILLTAR, PLTTs, ‘Assistant har [Tvtache he Ambassador and the Legal Attadhé il | ‘ BAH ZS At this meeting the Ambassador stated that Mr. JOHN BONDS, head of the INg anh ‘office re, had reported information confirming the fact that the. piloty 7 iB EDAARD W.)MURPEY, had landed at Santiago, Cuba alone after having taken iv ‘off From Nagsau with ‘Sanchez Arango and ex-National Police Captain RATE a ‘RODRIGUEZ SANTOS. ‘INS bad determined that MURPHY" s arrival date in Santiago “ had been 52-52 and that he had returned. alone: to Miami the following day 5 f-7 via Camaguey, Cuba. 4 ' There was considerable discussion | ‘of our, memorandum during which ve ; the Ambassador indicated that- he considered it entirely plausible and ry: possible that elements of the former PRIO government might stage a COUN Tra revolution, they having had plenty. of revolutionary experience in the years Ss preceding the fall of. Dicator BACHADO and apart from this they are well | : equipped with fupdg stolen: from, the Cuban Government during the time PRIO - - was in power. th i | hl “At the meeting, ifr. GOMEZ of the CIA advised that in the latter 1 part of March, 1952, ‘they had obtained a mail intercept which apparently - contained some cryptic information about a possible revolution. He said | that he had not considered that: this: information had any local interest| ahd that for that reason he had not distributed it. locally, although he ane sent it into’ his headquarge r z ed rather obvious that the 4 a Ambassador was ‘somewhat ‘(nee Peat aback by GOMEZ" statementsu! he did net consider that © FORE TIGER any lecal interest. ‘GOMEZ did not og ly OE: rete bh ueads rather certain that it wag oar — cS Ta the Geen Arny SIM pike MED BS RDIVUN EVER LOSE GOMEZ subsequently made available a memorandum on 5-9-52, as which he attached photographs of the material contained in, the interna When these photographs are studied in conjunction with the- informatas forth in reference letter of 5-6-52 which furnished. information apee Guban Army agent Mel, it appears that wee portray tite ‘deta Dh HY 50953 DBoctd: 32296932 Page 9
INN THIS OGCUMENT, @xagor Fae banelucrs 6M pe.2 Gin ° ¢ 4-38-47 0 . nt ; . 7 , . 0 Sa tse JERK. May 9, 1952 “MEMORANDUM -FOR MR. CRAIN Res Opposition to BATISTA Government \ oo 7 Reference is made to the conference held in the office of the Ambassador on 7 May, attended by the Ambassador, yourself, Colonel PITTS, Mrs SPEARS, and the undérsigned. At this meeting a secret memorandum sent by Mr. SPEARS to the Ambassador, entitled "JUNTA REVOLUCIONARIA CONSTITUCIONAL", was discussed. “Im connéction with the above, enclosed herewith are photostatic copies of an envelope (Exhibit A) ‘and enclosures addressed to "Srta. Violeta CANO, Empedrado 211, Apt. 18, Habana, Cuba", -postmarked Miami, Florida, 6:30 P.M., 23 March, 1952, the. envelope bearing return address. "Hotel Vereen, 313-315 North Miami Ave., Miami, Florida” and a notation under the AIK KAIL sticker, "Para Rosa." This envelope and contents were intercepted in the mail. It is possible that this communication may be pertinent to the contents of Mr. SPEARS! - memorandum, ‘At the moment, the only information this office, has been able to secure on the addressee, Violeta CANO, is that her father, Prospero CANO, is a radio operator employed by Western Union in Habana. oO, As of possible interest, a study of the enclosed exhibits indicates the followings _ Exhibit B is a piece. of stationery from the Hotel Vereen, in which were enclosed Exhibits C through K. . . oo Exhibit C apparently. concerns the location where Gervasio Street meets Avenida de Haceo (also known as the Malecon). The small circles on this plan describe the traffic buttons which divide the westbound traffic from the eastbound traffic on. this wide’ avenue. A study of this drawing would lead one to believe that the "x-s" represent armed men, the little squares marked "] ~ 2.1 . 2" are automobiles without drivers which would be used to block traffic. The "x-s" representing men on foot here total 14, which total when added onto the number of | men included in the other exhibits brings the grand total of men to be used in this operation to 230, which coincides with the figure represented on Exhibit D. _ ALL FBS ISPORMATION CONTAINED IAPR em aw 50953 Docld: 32296932 Page 10
a THIS DUCUMENT. EXCET dhe AnAciicls oy i 2 cemeeennn geome 6m 389 C3 nl “aes Qanx a RAR Ne May 9, 1952 MEMORANDUM FOR MR. CRAIN Re: . Opposition to BATISTA Government , Reference is made to the conference held in the office of the Ambassador on 7 May, attended by the Ambassador, yourself,.Colonel PITIS, Mr. SPEARS, and the undersigned. At this meeting a secret memorandum sent by Mr. SPEARS to the Ambassador, entitled "JUNTA REVOLUCIONARIA CONSTITUCIONAL", was discussed. In connection with the above, enclosed herewith are photostatic copies of an envelope (Exhibit A) and enclosures addressed to “"Srta. Violeta CANO, Empedrado 211, Apt. 18, Habana, Cuba", postmarked Miami, Florida, 8:30 -P.M., 23 March 1952, the envelope bearing return address "Hotel Vereen, 313-315 North Miami Aves; Miami, Florida" and a notation under the AIR MAIL sticker, "Para . * Rosa." This envelope and contents were intercepted in the mail. It is possible that this communication may be pertinent to the contents of Mr. SPEARS’ memorandum. . At the moment, the only information this office, has been able to secure on ' the addressee, Violeta CANO, is that her father, Prospero CANO, is a radio operator employed by Western Union in Habana. As of possible interest, a study of the enclosed exhibits indicates the following: Exhibit R is a piece of stationery from the Hotel Vereen, in which were enclosed txhibits C through kK. bxhibit C apparently concerns the location where Gervasio Street meets Avenida de Maceo (also known as the Malecon). ‘The small circles on this plan describe the traffic buttons which divide the westbound traffic from the eastbound ~ traffic on this wide avenue. A study of this drawing would lead one to believe that the "x-s" represent armed men, the Little squares marked "1 - 2—1 - 2" are automobiles without drivers which would be used to block traffic. The "x-s" representing men on foot here total 14, which total when added onto the number of men included in the other exhibits brings the prand total of men to be used in this operation ‘to 230, which coincides with the figure represented on Exhibit D.° ALL FEE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN JS UNCLAS ont eel HY 50953 DBocld: 32296932 Page ii
n : x a \ . ; Exhibit E apparently pertains to 14 of the 19 police stations and 2 substations | in Habana. Since it does not say which are omitted, there is no way of telling a which of the stations are to be the targets. As shown on this exhibit, there ' would be 10 men used to take each station, and the weapons and ammunition to be carried are Listed thereon. . Exhibit F apparently is a plan to take Cuban Naval Headquarters, and the figures are self-explanatory. It is interesting to note that there also i appears a notation that 10 navy uniforms are to be used. Exhibit G A “peloton” apparently refers to a group of 10 men, 4 armed with. - M-1 rifles, 1 with a machine gun, 5 with pistols and 2 with hand grenades, which will be used where necessary. Exhibit H refers to the radio stations RHC, CMQ, Union Radio, and Radio -Cadena Habana (apparently), all located within the city of Habana. Ji Exhibit Eye The writer is of the opinion that this exhibit (Radio Motorizada) pertains to the radio car communications center of the police, while Planta Radio E apparently refers to the electric power plant at Campo Columbia where _._ SIM headquarters are Located. Exhibit J apparently refers to the electric light plant which supplies most. of the power for the City of Habana, and Exhibit K apparently refers to the telephone company and to the Ministry of Communications. Addendum: As far as can be determined, on the basis of the above, Exhibit D is a summary of all that is necessary, and attention is drawn to the last item, i "1 Yate tipo P.T.", apparently meaning one P. T. boat. There are certain discrepancies in the arms total as represented on the.separate exhibits, and the grand total represented on Exhibit D. For example, Exhibit D shows a total of 35 machine guns to be used, whereas a study of the various lists adds up to only 25, and Exhibit D lists a total of 110 .38 pistols, whereas we arrived at a grand total of 105. Rudolph . Gomez, . oo [Attache. 16) cc Commander Ryan Colonel Mason Colonel Elmore Mr. Spears Attachment: 2 sets of exhibits Co, | Docld: 322798932 Page i2
HY es 50957 Exhibit E apparently pertains to 14 of the 19 police stations and 2 substations in Habana. Since it does not say which are, omitted, there is no way of telling which of the stationa are to be the targets. As shown on this exhibit, there. would be 10 men used to take each station, and the weapons: and ammunition to be carried are listed thereon. Exhibit F apparently is a plan to take Cuban Naval Headquarters, and the figures are self-explanatory. It ie interesting to note that there also appears a notation that 10 navy uniforms are to. be ueeds Exhibit G A "peloton" apparently. refers toa ‘group ‘of 10 men, 4 armed with IL rifles, 1 with a machine gun, 5 with pistols. and + 2 with hand grenades, which. will be used where necessarye Exhibit H refers to the radios stations REC, om, Union Radio, and ‘Radio Cadena Habana (apparently) 5 all. Lecated within the city of Habana. _ Exhibit Bye The writer. is of the opinion that this exhibit (Radio Me otorizada) Docld: 322798932 Page i3 weet eee te “par taLns- {oi-the-radio- car.communications center of of, the. polices, while P a _ 2 Radio E apparently refers to- “the electric: power plant at Campo ‘Columbia: “where \ SIM headquarters are located. | Exhibit J apparently refers to the electric light plant which supplies most ' of the power for the Gity of Habana, and Exhibit, K apparently refers to the : telephone company and to the Ministry. of Gommunicationss — | Addendum: Ag far as can be determined, . on. the basis of: the above, Exhibit D is a summiry of ali that is necessary, and attention is drawn to the last item, "y Yate . tipo PsT.", apparently heaning one Pole boate There are certain di scrapancies in the arms totel as "represented on the separate exhibits, and the grand total represented on Exhibit D. For example, Exhibit D | shows a total of 35 machine guns to be ‘used,. whereas a study of the various lists adds up to only 25, and Exhibit D liste a total of 110 038 Pistols, whereas | we arrived at. a grand total of 1056 Rudolph Ee Gomes, (Etech) | cc Commander Ryan Colonel Mason | Colonel Elmore ' @ra ; . Nit LPR AAAS : Mr. Spears SECURITY IP CeRAT q . CEORET --—-Attaehment: 2 sets of exhibits | 9H eS Ls i. SS a fy oe _