831.6363/34a

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Venezuela (McGoodwin)

No. 556

Sir: The Department is informed that the Sinclair Exploration Company, of 120 Broadway, New York City, has engaged the services of Mr. Cay Coll y Cuchí, of San Juan, Porto Rico, to undertake to obtain for it an oil concession in Venezuela. Mr. Coll y Cuchí is an American citizen, a member of the Porto Rican Government, and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the Porto Rican House of Representatives. He is also attorney for the American Tobacco Company and other American interests.

[Page 934]

Information has also reached the Department that the Sinclair Exploration Company has arranged for Mr. Ralph H. Soper, who is in charge of the company’s interests in Colombia, to go to Caracas in connection with the mission of Mr. Coll y Cuchí.

You are instructed to render all proper assistance to either, or both, of these gentlemen.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Alvey A. Adee