Messersmith, G.S., Havana. To Cordell Hull, Washington.
Date
1940-03-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Had pleasant trip down; spent several weeks at Hotel Nacional, but now comfortably settled in house in Vedado district; [Frederick] Larkin expected in April to open bids on new residence; plans call for comfortable, but not pretentious house; rather tense internal political situation with three groups controlled by [Fulgencio] Batista [y Zaldivar], [Mario Garcia] Menocal, and [Ramon] Grau San Martin; Menocal has apparently decided to join forces with Batista; elections scheduled for May 18 postponed until July 25; steps being taken to accelerate work on new constitution; Cuban Government has repeatedly promised to pay off claims on loans for public works; they recognize claims as valid but have not kept promise; talked with responsible people in Government and emphasized importance of paying off claims; reminded them it was to Cuba's advantage in view sugar question pending in Senate now and possibility of Cuba quota being reduced; both President and Secretary of State promised to make every effort to get their congress to pass legislation before end of March providing for payment of claims; believes any reduction in Cuba's sugar quota would be disastrous; has followed with interest Sumner [Welles] trip to Europe; information he brings back will be useful; confident there can be no arranged peace now which would be anything but bad truce and few years hence U.S. would have to fight war with Germany and Japan on two fronts with no country in position to aid; press reports Hitler and [Joachim von] Ribbentrop discussed with Welles desirability of U.S. sending Ambassador to Berlin; can see no advantage in sending Ambassador now; Germans would only make capital of it; following with interest trade agreements measure in Senate.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.