Office of the Historian

File No. 862.85/333

The Minister in Cuba ( Gonzales) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]
Habana, March 6, 1918, 3 p.m.
[Received 6.07 p.m.]

Your December 14, 5 p.m.1 In peculiar conditions the Cuban Government found no means of placing vessels under Cuban flag except as attached to Navy and for that purpose President needed additional powers from Congress. He presented bill conveying such powers but while he has pressed for passage the deadlock on account of the absence of Liberal members continues and may continue much longer. The President wishes United States to operate vessels free of charter hire. The people who repaired vessels are in want of [Page 675] money and pressing me for action. Is there any method by which Shipping Board can operate vessels which were turned over to United States without further legislation?

Gonzales
  1. Foreign Relations, 1917, Supplement 1, p. 386.↩