837.20/200a
The Liaison Officer (Wilson) to the Ambassador in Cuba (Messersmith)
Dear George: During my last conversation with you, I gathered that you felt that it would be advisable to abandon the plan to send a joint Army, Navy and Marine Corps Mission to Cuba, provided a Cuban-United States defense commission were set up on which General Embick5 and Admiral Johnson6 would be the United States members. I should be grateful if you would be good enough to tell me whether my understanding is correct as a memorandum has just been received [Page 255] from the Navy Department containing a tentative plan for a Navy and Marine Corps Mission. If you believe that this should now be abandoned and the Navy Department so informed, will you please let me know.
I have been told that the War and Navy Departments have been giving consideration to your recommendation for the establishment of the joint Cuban-United States defense commission. In so far, however, as I have been able to ascertain, the President has not yet mentioned this matter to General Marshall.7 You intimated to me that the President intended to do this.
Walmsley8 and I would be glad to handle such aspects of these matters as you may suggest.
With best wishes to Marion and you,
Sincerely yours,