Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
One of first priorities on assuming post as Ambassador to Cuba was to secure settlement of debt to Stone and Webster, American contractors, for building road the whole length of Cuba; as result of defaults in payments Stone and Webster had gone into bankruptcy, and as long as debt was outstanding Cuba could get no more credit which she badly needed for public works; talked with Batista who agreed matter should be cleared up, but said it would require passage of bill by Congress and in order to get some of the members to vote for bill it would be necessary to pay them; told Batista Stone and Webster had no money to pay for votes and that was not the way U.S. did business; the way Congress voted was an internal matter with which Messersmith could not interfere, but he did try to help in another way; invited members of Congress, a few at a time, for informal gatherings at Embassy residence, and discussed with them all manner of subjects - except the road debt; thinks many of them were won over in this manner; discusses in general American business men abroad.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.