File No. 600.119/616
The War Trade Board Representative in Cuba ( Morgan) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7.45 p.m.]
Your March 30, 7 p.m. Have taken no steps towards opposing, controlling, supervising or preventing loading, discharging or distribution of cargoes of Compañía Transatlántica and Pinillos nor has any local law been violated. It is a well known fact that these boats have been engaged in German propaganda between Cuba and Mexico, and the President of Cuba has advised me that he is absolutely opposed to their receiving coal in Cuba for voyages to Mexico, and had I agreed to bunker the Alfonso XIII it would have caused considerable feeling here, while I was in accord with the stand the President had taken. It is most unfortunate that the Department’s instruction of January 19 was received here during my absence in the United States and my attention was not called to it upon my return, as otherwise I would have complied with the agreement of the War Trade Board, the bunker situation throughout the Island being absolutely under my control. The conference which the President has had with the Spanish Minister here has now resulted in instructions by cable being received by the Spanish Minister to order the Alfonso XIII back to Spain, and I have furnished her with 1,700 tons of coal for her voyage.
[Page 1736]In view of the President’s attitude please instruct me if I shall in future bunker Spanish boats for voyages to Mexico. Report by pouch follows.1
- Not printed.↩