837.00/4450: Telegram
The Secretary to President Roosevelt (Early) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received at the White House, 10:57 a.m.]
I have received a letter addressed to the President signed by Raymond Grau San Martín, President of Cuba. This communication was transmitted by Alfred Betancourt, who says it is very confidential and its early delivery to the President most urgent. The letter says briefly that the Grau government has quelled revolt against it; that it purposes to continue the renovating task; that its goal is to enact constitution that Cuba now lacks which will be submitted to a plebiscite of the nation at the earliest possible date thereby ensuring freedom of suffrage and fulfillment of international obligations; that Grau wishes quickly to end his mission and return to the peace of his home; that moved by these longings he is led to request in his own name as well as that of his government that the President put an end “to the perturbing action of Ambassador Sumner Welles”; that Welles has repeatedly disclosed his partiality by communicating and dealing with enemies of the Grau government; that Cuba will welcome any representative of the President’s good-neighbor policy et cetera. Please advise whether it is proper for the President to receive this communication. Meanwhile I will hold it.