63D CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ( DOCUMENT 3d Session. No. 1463. LEGATION PREMISES AT HABANA, CUBA. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, TRANSMITTING AN ITEM OF APPROPRIATION FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LEGATION PREMISES AT HABANA, CUBA, AMOUNTING TO $100,000. DECEMBER 22, 1914.-Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed, with illustration. To the Senate and House of Representatives: I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury, requesting that the Secretary of the Treasury transmit to the House of Representatives an item for the acquisition of legation premises at Habana, Cuba, amounting to $100,000. This request has my hearty approval, and I venture to urge this appropriation upon the Congress with great earnestness. I think that the whole country now sees how desirable it is that we should be upon the same footing of advantage in foreign capitals that other Governments are. The purchase is recommended in the spirit of the recent policy sanctioned by Congress in these matters, and I sincerely hope that we may not miss this unusual opportunity in the city of Habana. THE WHITE HOUSE, December 22, 1914. WOODROW WILSON. DEPARTMENT of State, Washington, December 15, 1914. The honorable the SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. SIR: By virtue of the act of Congress approved February 17, 1911, entitled "An act providing for the purchase or erection, within certain limits of cost, of embassy, legation, and consular buildings abroad," I have the honor to request that you will transmit to the House of Representatives an item for the acquisition of legation premises at Habana, Cuba, as follows: For the purchase of property in the city of Habana, Cuba, and for such alteration, repair, and furnishing of the building thereon as may be necessary, for the use of the legation to Cuba, both as the residence of the minister and for the offices of the legation, $100,000. The building which it is in contemplation to purchase is that at present occupied by the legation of the United States, both as the residence of the minister and for the legation offices. The building and the grounds surrounding it comprise a whole city block. The property is located in the best part of Habana and is well adapted for legation purposes. A plan of the building and the grounds is herewith inclosed. It is estimated by persons having a knowledge of Habana real-estate values that the property would be a bargain as it stands for $100,000, and that it is not improbable that in a few years the land alone will be worth from $60,000 to $70,000. The American minister at Habana has obtained from the owner a purchase option of the property for six months from November 13 last for $80,000. The additional $20,000 which are asked for in the item submitted are for repairs which it will be necessary to make to the building and for its furnishing. I sincerely hope that Congress will provide for the acquisition of the property, and as the purchase option will expire six months from November 13 that such provision will be made in either the urgency or the general deficiency act. I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, W. J. BRYAN. |