811.20 Defense (M)/6–1644
The Secretary of State to the Cuban Chargé (Barón)
Sir: The question of the interpretation of the agreement between our two Governments concerning alcohol and molasses, which was raised in the Ambassador’s note no. 399 of June 16,34 has been examined and has been discussed with officials of the War Production Board.
The War Production Board was endeavoring to limit “general imports” of Cuban beverage cane spirits into the United States to 14,300,000 proof gallons for 1944 while, as the Ambassador pointed out, the agreement provided that this quantity might be shipped from Cuba during the year.
The War Production Board announced on June 22 that it was prepared to issue import authorizations which would permit general imports of beverage cane spirits from Cuba into the United States during 1944 to a total amount of 17,875,000 proof gallons. This amount will be adequate to permit shipments from Cuba to amount to the 14,300,000 proof gallons, plus an additional amount which is justified by the slight reduction which has occurred recently in the estimated quantity of industrial alcohol which will be needed for the war program.
Accept [etc.]
- Not printed.↩