837.24/2439
The Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 3.]
Sir: I have the honor to advise the Department that the Embassy has recently reviewed in detail with the representatives in Cuba of [Page 906] other departments of our Government the question of Lend Lease facilities for Cuba. A copy of a memorandum prepared as a result of that review is enclosed for the information of the Department.30
The Department will observe that Lend Lease facilities for the Cuban Navy have been rather well handled. We were fortunate in having Commodore Argüelles as head of the Cuban Navy from 1940 until a few weeks ago. Commodore Argüelles’ administration of that office appears to have been efficient and honorable. There is no evidence that there was any misuse of Lend Lease equipment or material during his incumbency.
The Department will likewise be interested to observe that Commodore Aguila appears to have taken up his duties in the same spirit and with the same desire to cooperate with the United States Navy. While there are unconfirmed reports that equipment for the Ministry of Defense may be entering Cuba illegally (without payment of Customs duties), the Embassy has, up to the date of writing this despatch, received no conclusive evidence which would warrant the refusal of Lend Lease facilities to the Cuban Navy at the present time.
I should like at the same time to commend the foresight of the United States Navy Department for having assigned a Naval Mission to Cuba. This Naval Mission has been able to control, in large measure, the type and extent of Lend Lease facilities made available to the Cuban Navy and has insured that these facilities have been properly utilized.
The situation with regard to Lend Lease for the Cuban Army has been less happy. This unfortunate development has been due in large measure no doubt to the general inefficiency of the Cuban Army and to the far-reaching corruption which exists amongst the members of the General Staff. It has also been due in some measure to the failure of the War Department to consult the Military Attaché and this Embassy with regard to equipment and material being made available to the Cuban Army under Lend Lease arrangements. A good deal of the equipment and material would appear not to be of the type which would best meet the needs and requirements of this Army. It is understood that the Military Attaché has requested the War Department to remedy this situation and to refer all future requests from the Cuban Government to this Embassy before final action is taken.
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Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩