Messersmith, G.S., Mexico City. To Sumner Welles, Washington.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Was entertained royally before leaving Cuba; colonos and hacendados held public ceremony at [Sugar] Institute; chiefs of mission of American republics and American organizations in Havana gave luncheons, and President Batista gave dinner at Palace with over seventy guests; grateful for support of Department while in Cuba; every outstanding and long pending matter in U.S.-Cuba relations settled satisfactorily; prepared way for [Spruille] Braden with Batista and others in Cuban Government; he will find new Embassy residence ready for occupancy; had planned to go by steamer from Havana to Mexico, but enemy submarines reported in nearby waters; flew to Miami, and thence by train to Mexico City; lodging at Hotel Geneve until Embassy residence ready for occupancy; repairs ordered two years ago, but due to continuous occupancy of [Josephus] Daniels have not even been started; has asked [G. Howland] Shaw to authorize emergency repairs up to $5,000; found some administrative difficulties; Daniels apparently had no interest in administrative problems, and practices had developed which must be dealt with immediately; establishment now has over 160 people; called on Foreign Affairs Minister, [Ezequiel] Padilla last Wednesday; he was most friendly; will present letters of credence Feb. 24; except for physical and administrative problems, beginning work in Mexico under favorable circumstance; November agreements helped and common danger draws Mexico closer to U.S.; [Francisco Castillo] Najera most generous in what he has said to President [Manuel Avila] Camacho and Padilla; [José Ruben] Romero, Mexican Ambassador to Cuba, is close friend of Camacho, and has written to him; press has been friendly, and reception in general cordial; Welles' suggestion of few days' rest at Cuernavaca before taking up duties appreciated, but anxious to get started; has not yet adapted to altitude; Padilla spoke of Welles' recent speech in New York and said it would do much to pull the Americas together.