837.61351/4598
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba (Braden)
Sir: The Department is concerned by the report in your despatch no. 5958 of February 8 [11], 1944,1 and previous communications, of the continuing deterioration of the Cuban Government’s price control and rationing system. In view of the prospects of large monetary returns to Cuba during 1944, and of the Cuban commitment to maintain, in so far as possible, an effective price control system, undertaken in connection with the 1943 and 1944 Sugar Purchase Agreements, this Government considers it wholly desirable to canvass the general situation.
With the probability that increasing funds will be available to the Cuban consumer public and with a restricted supply of consumer goods in Cuban markets, a growing pressure on price ceilings will inevitably result. It is the hope of this Government that you will be able, as a result of conversations with the Cuban Prime Minister or other appropriate officials, to effect a full realization of the importance of the problem with a resultant, realistic program to curb uncontrolled inflation.
The Department will, of course, be interested in receiving your reports of developments.
Sincerely yours,
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