Box 12

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Interested in Messersmith's analysis of effects of BatistaMenocal pact on local political alignments; Cosme de la Torriente takes gloomy view of situation; action of Colonos Association in dealing directly with representatives of refiners in U.S. not only futile but dangerous; they would sacrifice interest of important part of Cuban sugar industry which they do not represent in favor of their own interests; concurs entirely with Messersmith's remarks on subject.

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Interest aroused in Cuba over possibility of exporting live cattle to U.S.; Cubans urged to diversify and not base whole economy on sugar; cattle industry now developed to point where there is surplus; Cubans have learned Mexico exported live cattle to U.S.; doesn't think Cuba's small surplus of 50,000 head would hurt U.S. cattle industry; if some arrangement can be made it would have good psychological effect; should not want U.S. accused of discriminating against Cuba.

Scope and Contents Supplements earlier letter of this date; [Amadeo] Lopez Castro, one of best men in Cuban Government and good friend of U.S., going as delegate to Scientific Congress in Washington, and would like to talk to Wallace about exportation of cattle from Cuba to U.S.; Castro ill and may spend most of his stay in Johns Hopkins Hospital; has told Castro was sure Wallace would visit him in hospital if he couldn't meet him in Washington; told Castro time might be inopportune for cattle question because...

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Memorandum on progress of war and German plans; urges full support of Allies by U.S. now.

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Present situation due to (1) aggressiveness of Hitler and Germany army and (2) appeasement policies of France and England; new leaders now in England and France, but may be too late to stop Hitler unless America goes to their aid; American people should be informed of facts and learn where their own interests lie.

Scope and Contents Enclosure: See No. 1361. Transmitting memorandum on alien controls; controls will be called totalitarian measures and violation of civil rights by some, but majority, when they know what is at stake, will realize necessity for controls; suggests Breckinridge Long as best man to head program; envisages results if Germany wins war and dictates peace; she would have at her disposal combined fleets of all Europe and unlimited sources of raw materials and production; doubts U.S., with all her...

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Enclosed with No. 1360. Observations on, and recommendations for, the control of aliens in the U.S. as measure of prevention of sabotage, espionage, and other forms of subversive activity.

Scope and Contents Compliments Pfeiffer on speech at National Council of American Importers' luncheon; considers it sound and pertinent; America must learn from mistakes of other countries, forget partisan politics, and take steps necessary to conserve position; such steps may mean temporarily curtailing civil liberties; moral sabotage and defeatism must be dealt with ruthlessly; rapidly reaching point where combination against U.S. may be stronger than she is; must reckon with fact of additional strength, in...

Scope and Contents Knows house Messersmith living in and thinks it fine and in good location; American colony in Havana superior; Cubans courteous and hospitable to American when they don't try to interfere with their politics; Cuba important to U.S.; glad Messersmith on spot; arranged to sell some of older ships (of United State Lines) to Belgium; Germans sank ex-President Harding with number of British refugees from Belgium aboard but few lives lost; other ships operating with full cargoes eastbound, but...

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Enclosures: See Nos. 1360 & 1361. While at home discussed with Sumner Welles matter of alien controls and transfer of Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization from Labor to Justice; was requested by Welles to prepare memorandum on controls; enclosing copies of memorandum and May 22 letter to Welles; believes it necessary to proceed without delay.

Scope and Contents Acknowledges Geist's letter from Charleston; Geist's speaking tour good for Department; important to establish contact with business men in various parts of country; sent Geist copy of letter to [Thomas Lafayette] Hughes concerning Buenos Aires organization; supposes one should reserve judgment on King Leopold; is convinced he acted under false promises from Germany and influenced by his German mother; is serious blow for France and England; Italy seems poised,ready to strike; trying to...

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Erroneously addressed to W.G. Mitchell. Glad Franck safely in Paris; saw in paper friend [Franz] van Cauwelaert in Paris; cannot understand King Leopold's behavior; his German mother and Italian sister perhaps responsible for what seems treachery; work in Cuba seems important but in big picture Cuban problems small.

Scope and Contents Congratulates Moffat on appointment to post in Canada; busy with problems in Cuba, but realizes they are small compared with great problems faced by U.S.; Cuba important because of nearness to and dependence on U.S.; reviews predictions made over the years as to probable course of events since Hitler came to power; is sorry to be proved right; U.S. must not make same mistakes as England and France; visualizes a peace dictated by Germany as catastrophic; navies and mercantile fleets and...

Scope and Contents Recounts efforts to stop vote by Constitutional Assembly on articles deemed undesirable by U.S.; especially those dealing with moratorium legislation; talked with President Laredo Bru, who is opposed to articles; some of Assembly have personal interests which they hope to advance by including such articles in Constitution; document committee has prepared more a code of laws than a Constitution, and will make future legislation difficult; Assembly voted yesterday evening and approved work of...

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2 copies. Enclosed with 1372. Memorandum on transitory provision of Cuba's Constituent Assembly to liquidate moratoria and its harmful effects on Cuban-American relations.

Scope and Contents Was called to Washington recently for consultation, but was kept so busy saw few friends; did not foresee weakness of French and Belgian resistance; appalled by German successes in so short a time; envisages results of a German dictated peace - all Europe, except Germany, disarmed, Germany in control of all European production machinery, fleets of all conquered countries at her disposal; Western hemisphere Germany's next target; U.S. must defend not only herself but countries of Latin...

Scope and Contents Taking up with U.S. Consul General in Havana matter of visa for Gruening's cousin, Fritz Wittenberg; his application receiving as rapid and sympathetic consideration as law and circumstances permit; having interesting time in Havana; comments on forthcoming Cuban election, work of Constitutional Assembly, and infiltration of Germans and Communists; concerned also over fifth columnists in U.S.; U.S. rearmament must be rapid and thorough; alien controls must be put into effect immediately;...

Scope and Contents Enclosure: See No. 1369. Talked with [Fulgencio] Batista [y Zaldivar] May 30; he reported doing all he could to get more reasonable provision on moratorium in constitution; doubts he is actually doing anything; President [Laredo Bru] agrees that provision is bad, but thinks situation hopeless; many in Assembly acting from personal interest, with disregard for Cuba's credit standing; asked [Willard Leon] Beaulac to prepare memorandum herewith enclosed; agrees with Beaulac's conclusions and...

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Observations on major decisions of policy which U.S. Government must take, with particular reference to defense of Western Hemisphere.

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Hopes Welles will have opportunity to read despatch No. 369 of June 3; doesn't wish to appear too pessimistic; even if Germany wins over France and England, it doesn't mean she wins war in the end; American people should be made aware of what they must face; up to U.S. to prevent Germany gaining foothold in Western Hemisphere.

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Suggests Duggan read despatch No. 369 concerning problems of defending Western Hemisphere in case of dictated peace by Germany; has hands full in Cuba; behavior of Assembly on moratorium matter scandalous.

Scope and Contents Before leaving Washington talked with Joseph E. Davies, who said all possible facilities would be placed at Heineman's disposal for getting out of Belgium if it became necessary; glad to hear Heineman and family safely out; cannot explain what happened in Belgium; her quick surrender was catastrophic; if French cannot hold Germans, Italy will jump into war; must seriously consider a peace dictated by Germany to England and France; convinced however, Germany cannot in the end win; Americans...

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Read despatch No. 369 with interest; agrees with Messersmith's assessment of problems; thinks Messersmith can view problems more objectively from Cuba than they can in Washington, where one cannot see forest for trees; asks Messersmith not to apologize for length of letters and memoranda; off to Convention on Friday; looks like Roosevelt; has impression Cordell[Hull] does not want Vice Presidential nomination.

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Enclosed with No. 1379. Called for national action toward economic security for Western Hemisphere. Reprinted from June 17, 1940 issue of Export Trade and Shipper.

Scope and Contents Enclosure: See No. 1378. John Abbink in Washington; has invited him to dine tonight; had long talk with [Henry Francis ?] Grady yesterday; he is occupied with commercial policies to be pursued in connection with foreign trade, and requested memorandum setting forth Geist's views on question; said to Goering on Oct. 9 that if Germany bombed Paris or London U.S. would enter war; U.S. not yet belligerant but no longer neutral; affording all possible aid to Allies tantamount to entering war;...