Office of the Historian

811.512337 Shipping/9–1344

The Chargé in Cuba (Nufer) to the Secretary of State

No. 7879
Habana, September 13, 1944.
[Received September 16.]

Sir: Supplementing my air mail despatch no. 7774 of August 28, 1944 (File no. 851.2)43 and previous correspondence regarding the question of the exemption from taxation of the revenues obtained in Cuba by vessels owned by or chartered to the War Shipping Administration, I have the honor to enclose a copy and translation of Foreign Office note no. 2261 of September 7, 1944,43 setting forth the Cuban Government’s views in the matter.

It will be noted that the Embassy’s request has again been referred to the appropriate Cuban authorities and that the Foreign Office will advise the Embassy as soon as a definitive reply has been received. It will also be noted that, as on previous occasions, the Cuban Government stresses the importance of the revenues in question and the difficult fiscal situation with which it would allegedly be confronted if the exemption requested by the Embassy were granted. It points out that inasmuch as practically the entire foreign trade of Cuba is presently carried in War Shipping Administration vessels, the loss of revenue involved would be especially severe.

In view of the tenor of the Cuban Government’s note, it seems highly improbable that a definitive reply to the Embassy’s request will be forthcoming before October 10.44 It is therefore suggested that further representations be held in abeyance until the new administration assumes office, unless the interested agencies of our Government should decide that in view of the arguments adduced by the Cuban Government, which appear to merit consideration (please see last paragraph of the Embassy’s despatch no. 1567 of November 20, 1942, File 851.2),45 it would not be advisable to press the matter further.

I would appreciate receiving the Department’s further views and comments in the matter.

Respectfully yours,

Albert F. Nufer
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. The Batista Administration was succeeded by that of Ramón Grau San Martín on October 10, 1944.↩
  4. Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. vi, p. 259.↩