SECRET

6. ALERT IN CUBA.

Smale twice informed me that the NEW YORK TIMES had cabled its Havana office to the effect that the tightest and most general alert in the history of Cuba appeared to be in force. Smale added that his other correspondence had been restricted to Havana. He also later attempted to make a trip to Playa del Este, but was denied this privilege. While discussing these matters with the NEW YORK TIMES by telephone, Smale was cut off and they have not heard from him since. This was presumably yesterday, 18 May.

Smale Asks about General Situation.

Smale was quite eager to hear something of the general situation in Cuba at this time. I told him that I believed the alert in Cuba was a result of the attack on the sugar mill some days ago and the mounting psychological pressure of RAF publicity intended to return to Cuba. Smale added that in his opinion RAF's publicity was a good thing, particularly given that it was played to a basically moderate way. I agreed with Smale on this. I then told Smale that I had heard only a few hours earlier that there was a widespread rumor in Miami to the effect that an F-2 had been shot down over Cuba. Smale asked me if I knew this was not true. I said that naturally, unless you would have heard this from the Defense Department. I answered that it certainly sounded very long before I would hear of such a thing, and moreover I did not believe there was any truth to this rumor.

On 18 May I discussed with Henry Beckner the possibility of also releasing certain information regarding RAF's alleged emergency provisions to Smale. In light of this, Henry gave me some indication of the type of things he would like to see picked up by the press, the essence of which is an attempt to create a better press.