File No. 862.85/233
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Cuba ( Gonzales)
[Telegram]
Washington,
December 14, 1917, 5 p.m.
United States Shipping Board desires to have following proposals regarding German ships seized by Cuban authorities laid before Cuban Government:
- 1.
- That the Cuban Government proceed immediately to register the vessels under the Cuban flag.
- 2.
- That the vessels be chartered to the United States Shipping Board for the period of the war on bare-boat form of charter party; or by informal agreement to the effect that the United States shall employ and operate the vessels.
- 3.
- That the cost of repairs shall be borne by the United States Shipping Board.
- 4.
- That if the Cuban Government desires to give to the United States the use of the vessels free of charter hire, the cost of repairs shall be borne absolutely by the United States.
- 5.
- If, however, the Cuban Government prefers to charter the vessels to the United States Shipping Board at an agreed rate, the [Page 387] Shipping Board offers to pay for the use of the vessels, bare boat, the same price that the board is paying in similar cases to citizens of the United States—viz. $4.15 per dead-weight ton, with a bonus of 50 cents per dead-weight ton for every knot or part of knot above 11 knots per hour. In this case, the initial cost of repairs shall be carried by the Shipping Board, but it will be deducted from the charter hire as it shall become payable.
Bring these proposals to the attention of the Cuban Department of State and say the Shipping Board hopes Cuban Government may be able to reach a conclusion respecting them at an early date, for a prompt acceptance of the proposals will constitute a great service to the United States and to the nations associated with us in the war.
Lansing