811.512337 Shipping/17
The Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s instruction No. 2119 of August 19, 194365 (file No. 811.512337 Shipping/16), with regard to the requested exemption from taxation in Cuba of the earnings of vessels either owned by or chartered to the War Shipping [Page 278] Administration and in which the Embassy’s attention is called to the fact that the Department has never been advised of the results, if any, of the calculations which, according to the Foreign Office’s note No. 1124 of November 14, 1942, were being made in order to ascertain to what extent Cuba’s economy would be prejudiced by the suppression of these taxes. The Department requested the Embassy again to approach the Foreign Office, making reference to its note No. 1124 (not No. 1125, as stated by the Department) of November 14, 1942, and requesting to be informed of the results of the calculations therein referred to.
In accordance with the Department’s instructions, note No. 894 of August 21, 1943,67 of which a copy is enclosed, was addressed to the Foreign Office. There are likewise Attached a copy and translation of the Foreign Office’s note No. 2676 of September 7, 1943,67 in reply thereto, which states that the matter is still being studied by the appropriate officials of the Cuban Government and that the Embassy will be informed as soon as a definitive decision has been reached.68
I shall continue to press the Cuban Government for an early favorable decision in this matter. Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy for Economic Affairs