Has given self completely to task in Cuba; has established relationships in every sphere and has tried to give people clear picture of international situation, U.S. situation, and how they affect developments in Cuba; work has had some effect; press more favorable to U.S. than in years; Cuba desperately needs whatever financial assistance U.S. can give her; responsible Cubans realize that to get that help they must first put their house in order; many Cubans disillusioned by selfish attitude of members of the Constitutional Assembly and extraordinary things written into Constitution; President [Laredo Bru] and [Fulgencio] Batista [y Zaldivar] now pressing for legislation to settle obligations before new administration (and new members of Congress) take office in October, but rump Congress has shown unwillingness; President and Batista know they can expect no economic assistance from U.S. until matter of obligations is settled; hopes U.S. will remain firm on this matter; hopes to leave August 19 for few weeks on Cape Cod; thinks nothing to be gained by postponing departure; would like to talk with Welles and Secretary [Cordell Hull]; will probably go to Washington before going on to Cape, or returning directly to Cuba if necessary.
Diplomatic and professional papers of George S. Messersmith (1883-1960). Consists of correspondence, memoranda, and official dispatches written during Messersmith’s tenure with the U.S. Department of State, as well as ...