837.61351/12–2045: Telegram
The Ambassador in Cuba (Norweb) to the Secretary of State
Habana, December
20, 1945—2 p.m.
[Received 3:46 p.m.]
[Received 3:46 p.m.]
811. President Grau reportedly signed decree last night authorizing commencement of sugar harvest on Jan 2 and intends to decree increased domestic consumption and free sugar quotas. He will also authorize institute to start sugar shipments to U. S. pending conclusion negotiations. While early harvest is widely heralded here as cooperative effort to relieve our sugar shortage, it is obviously intended for publicity purposes in U. S. and to relieve Cuba’s own shortage. Very few mills will start before middle Jan.
Norweb