File No. 837.711/26
The Minister in Cuba ( Gonzales) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 2, 3.15 a.m.]
My March 29, 12 noon.2 Information given me by censorship official that Alfonso XIII had proceeded to Mexico incorrect. Ship remains here, coal to proceed Vera Cruz being refused by Mr. Morgan.
President told me today that following our conversation reported in my March 16, 1 p.m., he called in Spanish Minister and agent of Spanish steamship company and proposed discontinuance of service from Habana to Mexico. Agent of company confessed to accuracy of reports of Cuban Secret Service that company doing no freight business with Mexico. President proposed steamships take cargo from here to New York and return to Spain. Spanish Minister consented if President agree to supply coal and provisions for ship. After sending message of inquiry to Mr. Morgan and getting affirmative reply as to furnishing supplies, President so notified Spanish Minister.
On application of steamships for coal to proceed to Mexico, Mr. Morgan asked President if he wished ship to proceed and Menocal replied he had no interest in its doing so and thought it better if communication with Mexico broken. Coal was then refused. President considers Spanish Minister broke his word to him.
[Page 1735]President convinced steamships have German subsidy for making Mexico connection, also convinced no amount of search and censorship can prevent communication with Mexico and only safe plan is to break it.
- Not printed.↩