810.20 Defense/818/12a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba (Messersmith)
125. Department’s circular telegram July 11, 4 p.m.38 Lieutenant Colonel A. R. Harris, U. S. Army and Commander Rufus King, U. S. Navy, retired, have been designated respectively to represent the War and Navy Departments in the proposed staff conversations with Cuban officials. It is expected that they will arrive in Habana in time for the conversations to begin September 3. You will be informed later through the American Legation in Port au Prince of precise date and means of their arrival in Habana. At the conclusion of their conversations in Habana which follow similar conversations in Ciudad Trujillo and Port au Prince, they will return to the United States.
A separate telegram39 is being sent you outlining the agenda for the proposed conversations which you may communicate in strictest confidence to the appropriate Cuban authorities.