811.0141 Sw 2/92
The Chargé in Cuba (Williamson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24.]
Sir: I have the honor to state, although the facts are probably already known to the Department, that, as it is understood, the United Fruit Company for many years maintained at its own expense a meteorological station at Swan Island. During the cyclone of last autumn reports coming from that station were most helpful in giving warning of the impending storm. Since then, however, the United Fruit Company has discontinued the operation of the meteorological post, so that the countries bordering upon the area contiguous to Swan Island are without the valuable assistance which reports from that Island would furnish.
This being the case, the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs today invited me to his office and handed me a memorandum, the text of which is enclosed in copy and translation. Duplicates of the memorandum were also handed to the Chargés d’Affaires of Great Britain and Mexico, the three representatives being requested to convey the substance thereof to their respective Governments. As will be observed the memorandum suggests the appropriateness of reaching [Page 531] a diplomatic agreement between the Governments of the United States, Mexico, Great Britain and Cuba whereby they may reopen the meteorological station at Swan Island and share the expense of the operation thereof.
I have ascertained that the Mexican and British Chargés are forwarding copies of the memorandum to their Governments and I venture, in taking like action, to recommend the suggestion as of distinct benefit not only to areas in southern Florida but to American shipping in the Carribean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico as well.
I have [etc.]
- File translation revised.↩