Messersmith, G.S., Washington. To Willard Leon Beaulac, Havana.
Date
1940-09-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Arrived in Washington Saturday noon and saw Secretary [Cordell Hull] immediately, with [Laurence] Duggan and [Ellis Ormsbee] Briggs present; gave Secretary picture of situation in Cuba and said as soon as Cuba had taken favorable action on matter of obligations, U.S. might begin conversations with her on broad range of questions, but that question of loan should not be considered separately; Secretary, Duggan, and Briggs agreed; [Sumner] Welles away, so went to join Mrs. Messersmith in Hot Springs Saturday evening, but returned to Washington on Wednesday and had long talk with Welles, who also agreed to suggestions; plan is to draw up agenda of questions to be discussed and invite Cuban Government to send people to Washington for talks; telegram being prepared authorizing Beaulac to approach Cuban Government and suggest that U.S. now prepared to talk over broad range of problems with them if they send the appropriate people to Washington; telegram will not be sent until Beaulac notifies Department Cuban President has signed obligations bill; cannot tell Cuba whom to send, but important that right kind of men come; agenda will include such matters as assistance of American agricultural experts, reorganization of Cuban Treasury Department, financing through Export-Import Bank of moderate public works program, negotiation of a treaty of commerce and navigation, a discussion of outstanding claims owed to American citizens, and of course the matter of sugar; plans to return to Havana on the Oriente, sailing from New York on Sept. 28.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.