837.61351/4541

Memorandum by Mr. George F. Scherer of the Division of the American Republics 80

General Cuban Sugar Matters

With respect to Habana’s Airgram no. A–2531 of December 21,79 Mr. Earl Wilson informed me on December 29 that he plans to talk over the incomplete exchanges of notes with Señor Lόpez Castro81 as soon as the latter has recovered.

Mr. Wilson also mentioned he had talked with Dr. Arturo Mañas82 concerning the 1944 sugar crop insurance. It appears that all agents have been circularized by the Institute which indicated that Enrique Godoy would be the broker. Certain agents have informed the institute that they will take part in the underwriting only through their customary brokers. Mr. Wilson regards this as a favorable development, since it shows that the insurance matter is now “in the open” and the Institute is likely to act more circumspectly than before.

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Mr. Wilson pointed out again to Dr. Mañas, as lie did in August, the importance of satisfactory insurance. He stated that CCC will not accept the large amount of reinsurance that accompanied the 1943 contract, nor will CCC permit any single company to carry more than 7% of the total insurance involved.

Mr. Wilson feels that CCC’s position has been presented emphatically and frequently enough to make it impossible for the Cubans later to claim a lack of sufficient time to get organized.

  1. Addressed to Philip W. Bonsal, Chief of the Division of the American Republics, and Willard F. Barber of the same Division.
  2. Not printed.
  3. Amadeo Lόpez Castro, President of Cuba’s National Development Commission and special representative in Washington of the Cuban Government.
  4. Arturo M. Mañas, Cuban consulting lawyer in sugar negotiations.