837.61351/4674: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 22—12:10 a.m.]
294. I have handed a personal letter to the new Prime Minister Alliegro embodying the instructions contained in the Department’s telegram No. 244 of March 18, 8 p.m., and explaining why we are unable to effect the exchange of notes sought by former Prime Minister Zaydín (who was present at my meeting with Alliegro together with Minister of State Mañach). I furthermore expressed the opinion that it is now urgently desirable that we proceed forthwith [to] the signature of the contract having in mind recent publicity emanating from Washington and New York alleging that the treatment accorded Cuba thereby is “too generous”. I also emphasized the reasons why we cannot make commitments beyond those contained in our note of February 12 and memorandum of February 16.
The Prime Minister asked his predecessor for advice but the latter emphasized that he had washed his hands of the whole matter which was now his successor’s problem. Thereupon Alliegro and the Minister [Page 933] of State promised to make an urgent study of the present situation and to advise me promptly of the Government’s decision.