837.82/1–2345
The American Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Cuban Minister of State (Mañach)21
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to my note No. 283 of April 6, 194422 advising Your Excellency that the aids to navigation installed by the United States Coast Guard at Nuevitas and in the Manzanillo area would be left in place after the end of the war in consideration of the action taken by Your Excellency’s Government in making property available for the installation of lights on shore and other essential space for the maintenance of these aids, and to state that the Coast Guard cutter Sagebrush is about to service all buoys and lights established by the Coast Guard in Nuevitas, after which it is proposed to transfer this equipment to Your Excellency’s Government if that proposal is favorably received.
It has already been suggested by the Vice Consul of the United States of America at Nuevitas to the Captain of the Port there that arrangements be made to have officers and selected men from the Cuban Navy accompany the crew of the Sagebrush to observe and become familiar with the service procedure so that they can assume these duties. It is trusted that the suggestion of the American Vice Consul at Nuevitas meets with the approval of Your Excellency’s Government and that the appropriate authorities thereof will have taken steps to give it effect.
It is understood that a supply of spare lamps for the lights and buoys as well as a supply of battery renewal elements for the range lights ashore is being furnished by the United States Coast Guard. These supplies should be sufficient to last about one year. Further replacement lamps and battery renewal elements may be procured directly from the manufacturers.
The United States Coast Guard personnel heretofore stationed at Nuevitas for the purpose of attending these buoys and lights are being removed upon completion of their work.
A schedule of lights and buoys established in Nuevitas has been furnished by the United States Vice Consul at Nuevitas to the Captain of the Port there, for transmittal to such Cuban Navy officers as may be charged with the servicing of these aids to navigation.
Please accept [etc.]