837.51 Public Works Debt/227a

The Assistant Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Briggs) to the Ambassador in Cuba (Wright)

Dear Mr. Ambassador: Your message concerning a proposed settlement of the public works debt situation which would leave out of consideration the Purdy and Henderson group was passed on to Mr. Welles before his conversation with Senator Casanova yesterday afternoon. Mr. Welles stated that he would tell Senator Casanova that any settlement of the public works debt which did not include Purdy and Henderson would be considered an incomplete one and would not enable this Government to consider additional public works financing for Cuba.

Senator Casanova went on to New York almost immediately after his talk with Mr. Welles, but we expect to see him again next week.

Yours very truly,

Ellis O. Briggs