File No. 837.156/113.

The American Minister to the Secretary of State.

No. 502.]

Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 111 of February 15, 1912,1 to the Department’s unnumbered instruction of March 24, 1911, and to previous correspondence, in regard to a concession granted to one Arturo Dworzak for building a bridge across Habana harbor between Habana and Casa Blanca, I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a letter1 dated the 13th instant (received today) from the Havana Coal Company, concerning a proposed modification in the plans for this bridge, now pending approval by the Executive, and which, if approved, would, that company alleges, do incalculable harm to its property at Casa Blanca. The grounds upon which the Havana Coal Company objects to the proposed modification of the concession are fully set forth in its letter. The Havana Coal Company is an American corporation controlled by the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company of New York. Its coal-handling plant at Casa Blanca is a large and valuable property.

As it is reported in the press of this city that the President will, notwithstanding an unfavorable report of the Junta de Puertos, probably approve the modified project, I have ventured, pending the receipt of appropriate instructions from the Department, to request the Cuban Secretary of State to cause the matter to be held in abeyance until I should be able to ascertain the Department’s wishes. I enclose a copy of my note1 to the Cuban Secretary of State in this sense.

I have [etc.]

A. M. Beaupré.
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