837.51 Public Works Debt/150: Telegram
The Chargé in Cuba (Beaulac) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:40 p.m.]
130. Mr. Crafts told me that at a conference he and Mr. Brownson had last night with the Cuban Ambassador and Montoulieu34 it was tentatively agreed that Purdy and Henderson would be paid according to previous agreement, entire payment being made in unallocated bonds of the series exchanged for public works bonds.
With reference to the other creditors Cuban and foreign there will be a new issue of bonds bearing 5% interest with 15–year maturity and sinking fund sufficient to retire bonds at maturity, not to exceed $10,000,000, with a first lien on revenues derived from a tax on petroleum products other than gasoline to be created by the law authorizing the issue and with a junior lien second only to the lien of the bonds of the series exchanged for public works bonds on the revenues pledged to the service of those bonds. This new issue and the remainder of the unallocated bonds of the series exchanged for public works bonds will be divided pro rata among Warren Brothers and all other holders of obligations and port notes. Such creditors will be paid in those bonds at their par value at the rate of 80 percent of the principal of their claims. Full interest without discount or deduction of any kind for the 6 months’ period ending December 31, [Page 489] 1938, will also be paid in those bonds. Messrs. Gow and Powers35 have approved in principle.
Mr. Crafts is not clear as to the character of the tax to be created on petroleum products. In this connection see Department’s instruction No. 1321 of July 3, 193736 and related correspondence.