HARRY TRUMAN LIBRARY Papers of NATHANIEL DAVIS Extract from My Diary.
March 1, 1948 As left the office at a little after five this evening, saw a half track and three trucks, containing in all perhaps 50 men, some in blue police uniform, others in khaki and steel helmets, and all armed with rifles, proceeding westward at a rapid rate on Central Avenue. Earlier in the day had received a visit from two officials of the Pan American Airways who were concerned about their international operations. As the troops were heading in the direction of the airport, and thinking they might be on their way to take it over followed in my car. By the time could get my car. past the crowd in front of the Congress the troops had perhaps a five minute start. As we passed Dr. Valverde house off Paseo Colon, saw that the three vehicles had taken position in front of the house and that riflemen were being deployed around the house with outposts along Paseo Colon. Arrived at the airport found all offices closed so directed my driver to drive me home. We barely had left the airport grounds when heard a fusilade of shots. We, therefore, left Paseo Colon and detoured on a street one long block (or possibly two short blocks)
south. As we passed Dr. Valverde street, a normal block and a half south of his house, saw that each of the three vehicles mounted a machine gun pointed at the house. Police and soldiers were in position behind a stone wall near my corner. The machine guns ceased firing before reached the head of the street but there was intermittent rifle fire towards the house and heard several shots which clearly seemed to come from within the house, although saw no smoke. We went on home and phoned Mr. Cohen telling him what had seen and asking him to try to find out what had happened. In a few minutes, Colonel Hughes phoned to say he had just heard of the attack on Dr. Valverde house and was trying to get further information. As he hung up a man called saying he was a Mr. Hubbard, an American; that a Mrs.
Kann, also an American, was at his house on the Paseo Bolon; that Mrs. Kann baby was in a house in the block being attacked, and that he had been refused permission by the police to go to the house to get the baby. took his phone number and said would call back in a couple of minutes. then called Colonel Hughes at the office and asked if he would accompany me on a baby rescue. He agreed. tried to call Mr. Hubbard number but his. line