837.61351/4504
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Bonsal)
In response to my inquiry, Dr. Mañas gave me the following information regarding the Tinguaro situation. He said that the engineer named Calcavechia, who had been placed in charge by the Government, had apparently done an honest piece of work, expending approximately $175,000 and resisting a certain amount of political pressure which might have led to unwise or wasteful spending. Dr. Mañas added that a friend of his named Parajon, also an engineer, had stated that while the job could not be considered a permanent piece of reconstruction work, it is probable that the mill can function for one or two seasons.
Dr. Mafias then went on to describe the status of the court action in the case. He said that the fact that the court denied by the very close vote of nine to eight the Company’s request for the Cuban equivalent of an injunction led him to believe that the prospects of a favorable decision were fair, although he did not express any certainty on this point. He also told me that Mr. Keiser was trying to sell the mill and that he, Mañas, hoped he would be successful as this would be a good solution for everyone. There appears to be a man named Blanco who is interested, possibly at the suggestion of the Government. The price mentioned is between $1,000,000 and $1,500,000, the principal asset being the extensive cane lands owned by the Company.