763.72112Am1/113
The Secretary of State to the Honduran Minister (López Gutiérrez)
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the recent conversations between yourself and officials of the Latin American Division and the Foreign Trade Adviser’s Office of this Department in regard to the status of the formerly German owned properties at the port of Amapala. In these conferences you informed members of this Department that your Government desired to ascertain the opinion and the wishes of this Government in regard to the disposition of the properties referred to. It is felt that the problem of disposing of the properties at Amapala is entirely different from the problem of disposing of other formerly German owned properties in the interior of Honduras. Because of the control which any company monopolizing the port facilities at Amapala must exercise over the entire commerce of Honduras, it would seem most desirable, not only in the interests of foreign merchants, but in the interests of the commercial development of Honduras itself, that these port facilities should be placed in the hands either of the Government, or of some agency acting under strict regulations which will assure fair treatment to all commercial firms whose goods pass through the port.
If the Government of Honduras should elect to retain and manage these port properties it would seem very desirable that they should be placed under the administration of an experienced business man. If your Government desires, this Government would be glad to render its assistance in finding a person suited by training and character for this position.
Accept [etc.]