Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Western Hemisphere, Volume IX

711.37/10–2148

The Chargé in Cuba ( Mallory ) to the Secretary of State

confidential
No. 847

Habana , October 21, 1948.

Sir: I have the honor to report that on October 14, 1948, Ambassador Robert Butler called upon the Minister of State, Ing. Carlos Hevia, at the latter’s request, to discuss pending problems. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Mallory and Mr. Tewell. The Minister had previously indicated his desire of being informed of problems and, accordingly, there was prepared in the Embassy a memorandum setting them forth. A copy of the memorandum is enclosed (Enclosure No. 1) and provides a ready reference. It will be noted that most of the items are the same as the list of pending business transmitted in this Embassy’s confidential despatch No. 461 of May 28, 1948.¹ The Minister of State had also mentioned to the Ambassador his desire to learn our attitude towards Spain, especially as relating to the United Nations. A brief statement was prepared from material furnished by the Department. This is enclosed (Enclosure No. 2¹ ). It was believed desirable to seize the opportunity to make reference to tension in the Caribbean and, accordingly, a very brief statement of the United States position (Enclosure No. 3¹ ) was prepared, to be followed up later.

During the conversation the Ambassador spoke chiefly about the site for the Chancery building (Item 3, Enclosure No. 1), urging the Minister to have a bill passed by the Congress of Cuba which would make possible a lease of 99 years on the property. The Minister promised to use his best efforts. The Ambassador also spoke of the Convention of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation, stating that he had taken the question up with former President Grau but the attitude of the Cuban Government was not yet known to us.

The Minister then proceeded to scan the list of items, asking questions at various points. He indicated some understanding of Item 6 on visits of naval vessels; he enquired into the background of the claims matter (Item 2) and passed most other items without comment. At the conclusion he stated his desire of proceeding with consideration of Items 1 and 3 and said he would very soon check into Items 10–L and 10–M relating to textiles. He pointed out his desire of placing the Ministry on a sound working basis and of getting problems solved. He said, however, that he could not do so immediately, first having to obtain competent assistants, and assistants that he could trust. This last statement is considered as significant, indicating some distrust of the inheritance from the previous administration, and of his desire to maintain an active interest in and control of current problems.

The Minister was assured of the desire of this Embassy to be of assistance at all times. The entire conversation was most cordial and was conducted in English, in which the Minister is fluent.

Respectfully yours,

Lester D. Mallory

[Enclosure–Extract]

Memorandum

The following questions of importance were pending between the Ministry of State of Cuba and the Embassy of the United States of America on October 10, 1948:

1. Convention of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation

On January 27, 1947 the Embassy addressed note No. 58 to the Ministry of State proposing that the Governments of Cuba and of the United States conclude a Convention of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation. The draft of a proposed Convention was transmitted with the aforesaid note as a suggested basis for negotiation and the Cuban Government was requested to indicate its views with respect to the proposals.

Since that time the subject has been frequently discussed between officials of the two Governments, including the President of the Republic of Cuba and the Ambassador of the United States. While the Cuban Government has indicated its agreement with the objectives of such a Convention, it has not replied to the Embassy’s note above mentioned.

This matter was last discussed with the Minister of State on September 29, 1948, who informed the representatives of the Embassy that he would appoint an official of his Ministry to act as liaison with the Embassy in the discussion of the Convention proposals.

The Government of the United States is greatly desirous of concluding a Convention of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation with Cuba, which it considers of vital importance in the relations between the two countries and from which mutual benefits are expected to be derived.

2. Claims

On December 30, 1946, the Department of State addressed a note to the Cuban Embassy in Washington submitting certain proposals for the satisfaction of claims of United States nationals against the Government of Cuba, many of which date back to 1906.² A copy of said note was delivered to President Grau by the Ambassador of the United States on the same date.

The list of claims of United States nationals against the Government of Cuba which have been sustained in whole or in part by the Cuban courts and remain unpaid amounted, as of the date of the note, to the sum of $1,338,798.52. Claims of United States nationals which have been acknowledged by Cuban Government agencies, but are as yet unpaid, amount, according to the latest available information, to $5,168,592.97, while claims on which no evidence of Cuban Government acknowledgment or of court decision has been submitted amount to $2,654,240.12.

The subject was last discussed by Ambassador Butler with President Grau on June 28, 1948, but as yet no reply has been received from the Cuban Government regarding the proposals submitted by the Government of the United States in the above-mentioned note.

[Here follow summaries of sixteen additional questions, with thirteen additional cases listed under trade agreement violations.]

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2. See Foreign Relations, 1946, vol. xi, p. 769.