837.61351/12–2145
The Secretary of Agriculture (Anderson) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: The negotiations for the purchase of the Cuban 1946 sugar crop have been recessed twice, due largely to the inability of the United States Committee to meet the requirement of a guaranteed future participation in the United States sugar market demanded by the Cuban Commission. During the most recent meetings the Cuban Commission indicated that a letter of administration policy regarding this question from the United States Ambassador at Havana to the Cuban Minister of State,10 somewhat similar to the letter written December 23, 1941,11 would be acceptable.
The public statements of the members of the Cuban Commission give the impression that their minimum demand is a 40 percent share in our postwar sugar market as against the prewar Sugar Act share of 29 percent. However, I am informed by our representatives that the Cuban Commission in its discussion with the United States Committee did not take such a position, but merely claimed that their war contribution should be recognized and their increased participation in the future assured. Our representatives have pointed out to the Cuban Commission that this is a question which must be settled by Congress at the time consideration is given to the extension of the present Sugar Act which expires December 31, 1946.
If the public statements of the Cuban Commission actually represent their minimum demands, there is nothing further that can be done by the United States negotiators until Congress acts on sugar legislation, which will probably not be before the fall of 1946. If, on the other hand, they will be satisfied with a general statement of friendship toward Cuba, the enclosed draft of a letter12 might enable negotiations to be resumed.
You are, therefore, requested to give consideration to the submission by the United States Ambassador at Havana to the Cuban Minister of State of a letter somewhat along the lines of the enclosed draft. If possible, I should like action taken by the first of the year so that we may plan accordingly. If the letter is accepted, we expect to request the return to Washington of the Cuban Commission early in January.
Sincerely yours,