[Messersmith, G.S.], Havana. To Sumner Welles, Washington., 1940 April 19

Enclosure: See No. 1346. Shares Welles concern regarding work of Constitutional Assembly; has talked with leading men in Government, including [Miguel Angel] Campa, President [Laredo Bru], [Mario Garcia] Menocal, [Ramon] Grau San Martin, [Fulgencio] Batista [y Zaldivar], [José Manuel] Casanova, and [Pedro] Martinez Fraga; emphasized importance of producing constitution which would insure stability; was assured by all that such a constitution would be drawn, and also that Congress would enact legislation to pay Public Works debts; little done yet toward either goal; believes some hesitant to act before elections in July; sending resumé of talk with Cosme de la Torriente [y Peraza]; signed this week contract for new Embassy residence; commends [Frederick] Larkin for close estimate of cost.