800.8836/745: Telegram

The Chargé in Cuba (Briggs) to the Secretary of State

115. My telegram No. 100, March 3, 10 p.m. The Embassy has carefully investigated the Habana maritime shipping situation alleged by the Ministry of State and has ascertained that while facilities for winter vegetables were inadequate during the week ended February 28 when from 10,000 to 15,000 crates were short shipped of which a part had to be dumped, facilities last week, when the Ward Line had two and the car ferry four northbound sailings, were not only adequate but the Ward Line steamer which sailed on March 5 had refrigerator space for 14,000 more crates of tomatoes than were actually shipped. (The Embassy has been informed that failure to use all the space available last week was due to unfavorable New York tomato market.)

The Ward Line expects to have one and the car ferry six weekly northbound sailings during the remainder of March so that the balance of Cuba’s winter vegetable crop, whose peak season terminates this month, should apparently be moved without further serious difficulties.37

A memorandum setting forth the above was transmitted to the Foreign Office today. Copy by airmail.38

Briggs
  1. In telegram No. 135, March 17, 1 p.m., the Chargé reported continued improvement in the northbound shipping situation (800.8836/752).
  2. Not printed.