File No. 837.156/257
Minister Gonzales to the Secretary of State
Habana, July 27, 1917, midnight.
Your July 26, 7 p.m. President informed me July 25 he would appoint a commission composed of Chief Justice Supreme Court, President of Senate, and Secretary of the Treasury to discuss claims with [Page 456] representative of Ports Company and bondholders and report to him. He says that these men are well disposed as Cuban people will readily accept any decision by them. I suggested possible irreconcilable differences between parties and President said that he thought then some American of exalted reputation might be called in as arbitrator.