File No. 837.711/1
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Cuba ( Scholle)
Obtain audience with President and point out to him confidentially that this Government has positive knowledge that German agents and German mails are being carried between Mexico and Spain via Cuba. Impress upon him vital necessity of establishing an efficient censorship in Cuba, in cooperation with United States Censorship. Point out that presidential Executive order provides, and that adequate machinery now carries into effect, a strict censorship on all vessels coming from any neutral country and destined to any other neutral country which stop en route at any port in the United States, as well as all mails on all ships leaving or entering the United States.
All mails leaving Cuba for any foreign country should be similarly censored. Mails bound for Europe, taken from neutral vessels for censorship, should be re-shipped on some Ally vessel in order to insure control while in transit through France.
In order to insure the greatest efficiency and ease of exchange of officers, it is suggested that the Cuban Government promulgate provisions similar to those obtaining in the United States.
Should the President approve this in principle, an officer of the United States Censorship will proceed at once to Cuba to explain in detail the organization and working of the American Censorship to the end that when the proclamation is made this uniformity will be insured.
In this connection, you may point out that the Government of the United States would desire to enter into an exchange of personnel with the Cuban Government, looking to their employment in the United States.
At the same time bring to his attention that the United States Government, in the establishment and operation of her Censorship, has endeavored to move as quietly and promptly as possible, believing the usefulness of the censor to be largely increased by allowing the least possible reference to his work or existence. Urge prompt action, and keep Department fully and confidentially informed.