837.00/1509
The Chargé in Cuba (Bingham) to the Acting Secretary of
State
Habana, January 18,
1919.
[Received January
27.]
No. 912
Sir: Adverting to the Department’s
confidential telegram January 15, 6 p.m., regarding the Reformation
of the Present Cuban Election Laws, I have the honor to enclose
herewith copy of the Legation’s Note No. 763 of January 17, in the
premises.
The Department’s attention is invited to the fact that this note was
addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with the request that
it be presented to President Menocal, as it seemed desirable not to
neglect any means which would serve to make this a matter of
record.
Upon reading the note, Mr. Desvernine agreed frankly that the Cuban
Electoral Laws needed improvement and said that the President had
twice sent messages to Congress in this sense, which had so far not
been acted upon; he said that he hoped that the interest the United
States was showing in the matter would have a good effect upon the
Legislative Body.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs then went on to say, that he was
certain that President Menocal would not agree to having the United
States send a commission to Cuba to aid in the supervision of the
elections, as this would wound Cuban pride, and that some means
could surely be found to accomplish the desired end without such
humiliation.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
The American Chargé (Bingham) to the Cuban Secretary of State
(Desvernine)
Habana, January 17,
1919.
No. 763
Excellency: I have the honor to convey
to Your Excellency, with the request that it be transmitted to
His Excellency the President, the fact that in the opinion of
the Government of the United States it is of the utmost
importance that the Government of Cuba should proceed forthwith
to take active steps for the reformation of the present
Electoral Laws, and that, as a necessary preliminary, an
adequate census should be taken in the near future, in order
that the [Page 3] register of
voters may be corrected in time for the next Presidential
Election. The United States Government desires to impress upon
His Excellency the President the great importance of giving
immediate assurances to the public that the next Presidential
elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner.
In view of the close relations existing between the United States
and Cuba, my Government instructs me further to say that it
would be greatly pleased to receive from President Menocal a
request to have the United States send a commission to Cuba to
aid in the supervision of the elections, and I am further
instructed to request a promise from the President that he will
make a public statement as soon as possible along the lines
indicated.
I avail myself [etc.]
