837.154/169: Airgram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Cuba (Briggs)
Washington, July 7, 1943—6:30
p.m.
A–1710. Your A–1221, June 19, 12:10 p.m. With regard to the supplies referred to for the reconstruction of the Central Highway, we have the following comments to make:
- 1.
- It is of the greatest importance that every effort be made to utilize carburante from locally produced alcohol to the maximum extent and to supply any gasoline which might be needed in addition to the carburante from Cuban allotments.
- 2.
- Any tires that cannot be supplied by the local factory should, as the Embassy suggests, be taken from Cuba’s regular allocation of tires.
- 3.
- There does not appear to be any sound basis for supplying heavy petroleum for the production of the asphalt on a war essential basis. An additional allotment for this purpose will have to be within specified limits and gas oil and gasoline by-products will have to be considered as a part of the regular Cuban quota. Accordingly, you should send us a careful estimate of the minimum amount of heavy petroleum needed for the production of the asphalt.
Hull