Messersmith, G.S., Havana. To Breckinridge Long, Washington., 1940 April 11

Relieved to hear no thought at present of sending Ambassador to Germany; interested to know [Alexander Comstock] Kirk may be coming home on leave; he has been under tremendouse strain; should be someone who can relieve him as Chargé for a time; well informed European sources report Germany hasn't sufficient reserves of gasoline, lubricating oil, or iron to carry on sustained war; [Raymond H.] Geist will be of help to Long in maintaining contact with other Departments and with business men; [Frederick] Larkin arrived on 9th and bids for new residence opened; bids generally satisfactory and well within amount allocated by Department; would like to talk to Long sometime about [Jefferson] Caffery and his stay in Cuba; has always thought Caffery more interested in form than substance; Cubans pretty well had his measure.