Crematística Nacional (Vocero Occidental-abril 17, 1954)

The Newspaper Vocero Occidental wrote an article about Gustavo Gutiérrez, Minister of Finance, on April 17, 1954. The title, "Crematistica Nacional" refers to a government's financial and monetary negotiations. Crematistica refers to the grouping of knowledge and studies regarding the production and the distribution of wealth.

The writer states that Gustavo Gutiérrez, with a brilliant history as a politician, financial expert, and eminent jurisprudent, is not an advocate of "parasitical budgets," but rather, budgets that are functional and practical. "He has earned the confidence of the people and the good faith of Major General Batista. All of the laws that this great Minister of Finance has implemented have solidified the reputation of the nation, placing him on a tripod of honesty, good reputation and hard work which instills confidence and promotes good faith in he who contributes to and borrows from the State. For without these qualities no government can prosper."

The writer adds that Gutiérrez's past experience in the National Junta of Economy will help him in the task ahead, preparing a vast plan of national finance (State budget), increasing the country's quantitative earnings as a result of practical and honest investments, all of which will greatly benefit the people and the nation. He continues saying this present Minister of Finance (GG) fought his first civic battles when he began to shine within the ranks of the revolutionary youth of the so called "Veterans and Patriots" movement headed by General Carlos Garcia Vélez, son of (Cuba's Independence War hero) General Calixto Garcia. Gustavo was also the "voice of gold" (great orator) of the revolution of that time which was won due to the great abilities of President Zayas.

"Since then the nation has never again been able to do without the services of this great statesman; upright, talented, well inspired and often triumphant. From these statements we find good proof of his parliamentary conduct, presiding over the House of Representatives, being elected without sinful compromises..."

" It can be said that Gustavo Gutiérrez is a statesman through and through because not only does he shine as lawyer, professor, parliamentarian, constructive man of revolutionary ideas, functional economist and politician; he's also a great diplomat which he demonstrated in different sectors of the United Nations and specialized congresses."

"For the good of the national economy and the honor of Cuba we hope that Gustavo Gutiérrez triumphs with the same elegance and patrician majesty that he has us accustomed to for some time now especially during these troubled times that humanity presently faces."

The Havana Charter (Carta de La Habana) 1948

In the picture above we see Ambassador William Clayton and Ambassador Gustavo Gutiérrez signing the Havana Charter (La Carta de La Habana) for the United States and Cuba, respectively in March, 1948. The Havana Charter was a document that followed the creation of the G.A.T.T. (General Agreement on Trade and Tariff), in Geneva, Switzerland in 1947, which attempted to, among other things, correct certain trade inequalities between the underdeveloped nations and their industrialized neighbors. Dr. Gutiérrez was in charge of hosting this conference in Havana which celebrated 800 official sessions. (please see blog entry " GG Prepares Capitol Building for International Conference," January 2009). Gustavo Gutiérrez had initially served as the Technical Director for the Cuban delegation in Geneva in 1947 as well as in New York and London. Then served as host and head of the Cuban delegation for the Havana Conference beginning December 21, 1947. For Dr. Gutiérrez closing remarks at the conference please see blog entry from February, 2010, "Havana Charter GG closing remarks 1948." Later he served as the head of the Cuban delegation in Geneva and Petropolis in November of 1954. See blog entry from October, 2008, "Cuba's Voice in Geneva and Petropolis 1954."

The caption below the picture reads; "The United States and Cuba celebrate among the nations which signed the Final Act and the Havana Charter, represented by the heads of the delegations Mr. William Clayton, on the left, and doctor Gustavo Gutiérrez, on the right, "This will be an historic day in the world," said the North American sub-secretary. And the delegate from our government said, "Proof of equilibrium, reached in the Charter on Commerce, it's just that it doesn't satisfy anyone."

In a speech regarding the Havana Charter, Gustavo Gutiérrez declared;

(English translation below)

1) In Geneva, November 10, 1954; "La Carta de La Habana, laboriosamente discutida y negosiada por una de las reuniones económicas mas universales que se han efectuados, no fué ratificada por los que más obligados estaban a hacerlo, quedando los paises insuficientemente desarrollados a la intemperie del G.A.T.T., sin las contrapartidas equilibrizadoras. Lasexcepciones del Acuerdo General primaron sobre los principios, y su complicada maquinaria no ha podido ser plenamente utilizada por los paises insuficientemente desarrollados."

"En relación, por último, con la reorganización del G.A.T.T. por medio de un instrumento para las cuestiones de organización y otro para las regulaciones de aranceles y comercio, la experiencia de la Carta de La Habana nos hace permanecer a la expecativa. Puede de nuevo una parte recibir la aprobación de los parlamentos y otra no, creando una rara sensación, aunque ningún país puede juzgar a los demás de acuerdo con su práctica constitucional o parlamentaria..."

"Esperamos, Señor Presidente y Señores Delegados, que los fríos del egoismo no malogren la esperanza de que los grandes principios que inspiraron el Acuerdo De Ginebra de Aranceles y Comercio y La Carta de La Habana para una organización Internacional de Comercio puedan, al fin, desembarazarse de la tupida red de intereses creados que no los dejan brillar con toda la fuerza que deseamos los que aquí nos encontramos y que, sin duda, esperan todos los pueblos de la tierra."

(English Translation)

"The Havana Charter, laboriously discussed and negotiated by one of the most universal economic meetings ever held, was not ratified by those who were most greatly obligated to do so. The underdeveloped countries remained out side of the G.A.T.T. without counterbalancing provisions. The exceptions of the General Agreement over-ruled it's principles and the under-developed countries have not been able to fully utilize it's complicated machinery."

"Finally, with regard to the reorganization of the G.A.T.T. by means of an instrument to deal with organization and another for the regulation of tariffs and trade, the experience of the Havana Charter makes us assume an expectant attitude. Again, it might be that one part will be approved by Parliaments while another may not, creating a rare situation, in as much as no country may judge the others according to it's own constitutional or parliamentary practice..."

" We hope, Mr. President and Fellow Delegates, that cold egoism will not defeat the hope that the great principles which inspired the Geneva Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the Havana Charter for and International trade Organization may, in the last analysis, divest themselves of the thick network of created interests, which prevent them from exerting the force those of us here desire and which the peoples of the world expect."

2) In Petropolis, November 24, 1954; " Es justo reconocer que la iniciativa de los Estados Unidos se celebró en 1947 una Conferencia Mundial de Comercio y Empleo con objeto de liberalizar el comercio y propiciar el empleo, pero la realidad es que la Carta de La Habana para la Organización Internacional de Comercio, producto de las laboriosas y extensas discusiones de dicha Conferencia, no fué ratificada por el Senado de los Estados Unidos, y que el Acuerdo de Ginebra sobre Aranceles y Comercio (G.A.T.T.), que fué el único producto vivo del referido proyecto, ha funcionado más en beneficio de lo países industrializados de amplio comercio internacional, a pesar de ser una minoría en recursos nacionales y población, que de los países insuficientemente desarollados."

(English Translation)

"It is fair to recognize that on the initiative of the United States a World Conference on Trade and Employment was held in 1947 for the purpose of liberalizing trade and propitiating employment, but the fact is that the Havana Charter for the International Trade Organization, the result of laborious and lengthy discussions at said Conference, was not ratified by the United States Senate, and that the Geneva Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (G.A.T.T.), which was the only actual living result of that project, has operated more to the benefit of the industrialized countries with great international trade in spite of being in the minority in national resources and population, than to underdeveloped countries."

National Postwar Commission (Comisión Nacional Postguerra) 1944

This photograph appeared in the newspaper El Mundo on Wednesday, August 9, 1944. According to Dr. Gutiérrez's resume (see blog entry Curriculum Vitae) his position was that of Secretary of this Commission. The purpose of this Commission was to address Cuba's concerns at the upcoming Conference on Peace and Security in Washington, D.C. In a speech he gave in  Petropolis, Brazil 10 years later (see blog entry Cuba's Voice in Geneva and Petropolis 1954) one of his concerns regarding post war Latin America was that it's economy was placed at a disadvantage vis a vis the industrial nations. Gutiérrez lamented that the United States, after asking that it's Latin American neighbors, in solidarity with the Allied forces, maintain their war time export prices at pre war levels, did not return the favor after the War but instead raised it's export prices to Latin America. The United States grew richer as a result of the Second World War while Latin America grew poorer he says. He adds (English translation); "The present state of economic relations among the American countries is not entirely satisfactory. And this is not due to mere capriciousness but to very hard and realistic reasons regarding trade relations. As long as we do not try to mitigate in some way the adversity of that relationship for almost all the Latin American countries, as a result of exporting raw materials at low prices...and importing products generally at high prices, which are almost never under control, we very sincerely doubt that we are making any progress in the right direction."

English translation of photo caption: "The National Commission for the study of the problems of the postwar convened last night to decide what our country should suggest taking to the Conference on Peace and Security which will take place in Washington when the small nations are invited after the three great powers, England, Russia and the United States reach an agreement and China has been informed of their resolution which will be ratified. Those present were First Minister Doctor Alliegro, the Chancellor, Dr. Mañach, (invited as delegate representing Dr. Grau San Martin and possible future Minister of the Exterior), Dr. Guillermo Belt, Dr. Gustavo Gutiérrez, engineer I. Montoulieu, Dr. Dorta Duque, Dr. Cosme de la Torriente and Dr. Enrique Guiral."

Curriculum Vitae (English)

Curriculum Vitae (Español)

"La Aventura Cubana" 1977

In 1977  Bolivian economist Julio Alvarado wrote, in my most humble and "non expert" opinion, the best history of Cuba's Republican period (1902-1959) specially in dealing with Cuba's economic history. He traveled to Havana with a "grupo de trabajo" of Bolivian economists in the late 1940s as part of a diplomatic mission and remained on the island working at El Banco Nacional until 1959. The tome was published in Madrid in 1977.

Alvarado believes Washington's clear decision to rid itself of Fulgencio Batista was the result of Cuba's dream of diversifying it's economy which consequently, in the eyes of many in the Eisenhower government, would be at the expense of American business interests. At the helm of this "dream team" was Gustavo Gutiérrez, Joaquín Martínez Sáens and Felipe Pazos. Alvarado adds, "...nacio en el espiritu cubano el firme y decidido propósito de llevar a la realidad lo que en los ultimos treinta años constituyera una actividad agropecuaria y la creación de la industria ligera. Este deliberado propósito contó en ese preciso momento, para suerte de Cuba, con una élite que en el lapso 1946-1958 realizó---bajo dos regímenes antagónicos---una obra que debe ser jusgada por sus resultados. Esa élite estuvo constituida por tres hombres de la generación del 30: Joaquín Martínez Sáens, Felipe Pazos y Gustavo Guitérrez."

The greatest insult against American economic interests in Cuba came when Dr. Gutiérrez , with others, wrote a series of laws protecting fledgling Cuban agricultural and manufacturing industries by, among other things, raising import barriers.

 "Simultaneamente con la politica económica que Martínez Sáenz inspiraba y dirigía desde la presiencia del B.N.C., Gustavo Gutiérrez inspiraba y dirigía la suya desde la secretaría de la Junta Nacional de Economía (J.N.E.)---creada en el año 1942---y transformada en 1955 en Consejo Nacional de Economía (C.N.E.) (tambiem conocido como el Ministerio de Economia); institución pressidida por el Primer ministro (Gustavo Gutiérrez) e integrada por los ministros de Hacienda, Comercio y Agricultura, y por los presidentes del B.N.C. y del B.A.N.F.A.I.C."

"Además de los estudios que sobre diferentes aspectos de la economía cubana dirigió durante diez años, su mayor contribucíon a los empeños de desarroyo económico deliberado y acelerado...consistió en la preparación del decreto-ley de estimulación industrial y en la confección de los nuevos aranceles aduarenos."

"...Gustavo Gutiérrez propuso el proyecto de decreto-ley aprobado el 15 de agosto de 1953 para, mediante el aumento o reducción de arranceles aduaneros, la fijación de contingentes de importación, las extenciones de impuestos estatales y municipales, la creación de subsidios, el estímulo o la restricción de las operaciones comerciales internacionales, y las medidas de caracter cambiario, según se trate de "industrias nuevas, industrias ya establecidas, industrias de montaje y ensamblaje, industrias mineras, industrias en general."

"La trascendencia de este decreto-ley para la estimulación industrial no causaria agrado a los circulos industriales de Estados Unidos."

"No pasaba desapercibido para los dirigentes de la política económica cubana el obtsáculo insuperable que, para toda empresa de desarrollo, constituía la apertura del territorio de la Isla a la penetración masiva de la produccíon manufacturera americana. Gustavo Gutiérrez se hizo intérprete de aquel estado de ánimo y logró que Batista dispusiese, mediante el decreto-let número 2.080 de 1955, "hacer los ajustes arancelarios convenientes", eufemismo empleado para no alarmar a Washington con la confeccíon de un nuevo Arancel. Por cierto que el eufemismo no engañó al Gobierno Eisenhower."

"Pero en el segundo semestre de de 1956 Batista cometió un nuevo atentado contra la amistad cubano-americana: prestó su conformidad a las sugestiones de sus consejeros economicos---Joaquín Martínez Sáenz y Gustavo Gutiérrez---para proceder a la confección de un nuevo Arancel aduanero, y, en consecuencia, plantear al Gobierno de los Estados Unidos la revisión del Convenio de Reprocidad comercial, de 1934. El Gobierno americano conocía los reales propósitos de Cuba, expuestos con toda franquesa, claridad y sinceridad por los hombres de Gobierno, por los economistas y por la prensa de la Isla. Sabía, por tanto, que el nuevo Arancel cubano sería la muralla protectora para la inteligente y paulatina diversificación agropecuaria y para el serio proceso de industrialización, todo lo cual implicaba una futura pérdida o cuando menos la sustancial reducción del mercado cubano para las producciones de las industrias agropecuaria y manufacturera americanas."

Julio Alvarado tells us that this new law of 1953, created by Gutiérrez, was one of Cuba's most daring maneuvers to date in her quest for greater economic independence from the "massive penetration of  manufacturing production" from the United States. This decree was received with great fanfare by the Cuban industrial manufacturing community as well as by the agricultural sector. It would enable Cuba to become more competitive at home against foreign imports facilitating greater economic growth and expansion. It would create subsidies and incentives, readjust business tax structures, etc. And the Americans would not be pleased.

"Como estaba previsto, en ceremonia solemne, el decreto-ley que ponia en vigor el Nuevo Arancel de Aduanas de la Republica de Cuba, fue firmado por Batista el 28 de enero de 1958 en el Salon de los Espejos, ante quinientos representantes de la industria, el comercio y los círculos financieros...Pero las negociaciones "al mas alto nivel" con los hombres de Washington no tuvieron lugar. A esas horas, el State Department ponía en juego sus peones para cumplir la orden del presidente Eisenhower: arrojar del Gobierno de Cuba "a un dictador llamado Batista."

 Alvarado adds that this law was a slap in the face to the Eisenhower Administration. It was the "economic question" and not a political one,  Alvarado believes, that was to become the main reason for Washington's decision to ultimately "remove" Batista from power. He goes as far as to indirectly blame Gustavo Gutiérrez for Washington's antagonism against Batista by rushing the trade negociation process with the American government when he says, " Provocar, con un año de anticipación, la reacción iracunda del Gobierno americano contra la persona de Batista, me parecía de extrema imprudencia, dados los sucesivos enfrentamientos a que dieran lugar, desde 1955, las firmes actitudes del Dictador prestando todo su apoyo a la política económica sugerida por sus ministros y que los círculos comerciales, industriales y financieros de Estados Unidos consideraban "política anti-americana."  

Other conflicts or sore spots between the two nations by the mid 1950s included Cuba's decision to give the Havana Tunnel construction project to a French company and the petition by the Louisiana rice growers to Congress to "do something" about Cuba's decision to grow it's own rice. Another scandal involved American wheat interests in Santiago where in 1957 U.S. Senator Frank Carlson was quoted as saying, "Batista is an enemy of the United States. He's gotta go!" And there was another one that dealt with pork grease. See below...

Cuba's frustration with Washington's meddling in Cuba's political and economic affairs was well understood among the Island's elite since before 1902.  As an example, in 1956, Gustavo Gutiérrez received information that the United States was selling Cuba lard that the U.S. Congress had recently deemed unfit for human consumption. The State Department ordered Ambassador Earl T. Smith to insist that the Cuban Government retract the decree regarding the prohibition of the pork grease imports. The Cuban Government ordered Minister of Economy, Gustavo Gutiérrez to annul the decree as soon as the U.S. Government declared that the grease was suitable once more for human consumption in the United States. 

"Por su parte, Batista cometió el ultimo atentado a la amistad cubano-americana---el postrer atentado---al finalizar aquel año de 1957: Cuando el embajador Smith, en cumplimiento de expresas instrucciones de su Gobierno, se dirigió por escrito al ministro de Economia, Gustavo Gutiérrez, pidiéndole la derogatoria del decreto que prohibía la importación de grasas no aptas para la alimentación de los seres humanos, Gustavo Gutiérrez le contestó, también por expresas instrucciones de su Gobierno, que el decreto sería derogado tan pronto como el Gobierno de Estados Unidos declarase que esas grasas eran aptas para la alimentación del pueblo americano."

It is clear that Julio Alvarado did not fancy Gustavo Gutiérrez for, aside from recounting in this book  several confrontations with Gutiérrez,  Alvarado's boss, Martínez Sáenz and Gustavo Gutiérrez did not get along either (see October blog entry El Banco Nacional).

  Alvarado adds," Fue a raíz del triunfo revolucionario del 1. de enero de 1959 que tuve la explicacíon cabal de la política atropellada de Gustavo Gutiérrez. Se sabía gravemente enfermo y aun había tratado de suicidarse. Pero quería dejar a su patria un arma eficaz para defender su mercado interno y crear, así, las condiciones favorables para la creación de la industria ligera. En esa carrera desesperada contra el reloj quiso vencer, a fuerza de anhelo patriótico, todos los obstáculos, todos los requisitos previos, todas las condiciones indispensables, todo cuanto se oponía a su pasión hecha obsesion. El triunfo de la Revolución lo mandó al exilio y allí sucumbió cinco meses después." 

This is a very heart warming, gentlemanly and respectful manner in which Julio Alvarado draws to a close his contentious relationship with Gustavo Gutiérrez and even though Gustavo's daughters refute Alvarado's assertion that Gutiérrez attempted suicide, they agree that their father endeavored to find ways in which to propel Cuba forward as a sovereign nation at any cost. His whole life was dedicated to the advancement of Cuba and it's people. It was his passion. It was his obsession!

El Banco Nacional 1954

In 1954 Cuba began the process of  acquisition of the properties on which the new 14 floor National Bank building was to be built.  The photograph shows Minister of Finance Dr. Gustavo Gutierrez and Minister of Public Works engineer Alfredo E. Noguiera signing the documents while other officials look on including the President of the National Bank,  Dr. Joaquin Martinez Saenz. Gutierrez and Martinez Saenz were at odds for many years. Not much is known regarding this  relationship. However, Dr. Gutierrez writes his daughter Yolanda  from exile in Buenos Aires on May 26, 1959, "Me da mucha pena lo de Martinez Saenz (fue encarcelado por el nuevo gobierno revolusionario) pero mas ver que no ha aprendido nada, pues se atribuye todo el progreso economico hecho por Cuba, llegando a incluir la compra de los Ferrocarriles, cuando ese, como muchas de las otras cosas, fueron producto de los trabajos del Consejo Nacioal de Economia." (Trabajos de G.G.) 

In the same letter to his daughter he speaks about the new government in power; "De politica me parece mejor no hablar. Cada vez mas se complica todo, y me temo que cometan alguna locura la gente de Miami. Yo quiero que ustedes sepan que yo repudio toda relacion con la gente de Batista y no me corresponsabilizo con nada de ellos ni del pasado, ni del presente, ni del futuro. Sé la responsabilidad politica que me corresponde por el cargo que desempeñé, pero solo acepto la de los asuntos en que he intervenido personalmente."

"El gobierno de Castro es un desastre y puede llevar al pais a un caos economico, pero me parece indudable que tiene el respaldo de las grandes masas populares, y aunque Castro ha perdido internacionalmente casi todo el prestigio que le dio el triunfo, nacionalmente me parece que el pueblo esta con el. Aqui seguimos el desenvolvimiento de Cuba por el Diario de la Marina, asombra el encumbramiento de muchos fracasados e ignorantes y la guerra cruel a todo lo que se ha destacado en las distintas actividades nacionales. !Mediocritas imperium!"

Gutierrez resigns as House Speaker 1941 #2

After Gustavo Gutierrez resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives the scandal hit the press and the cartoonists of the day wasted no time in capitalizing on the story. In the above cartoon published in the newspaper El Tiempo on October 21, 1941 (cartoonist unknown) Gustavo says with a smug look on his face, "My dear Santos Jimenez, it seems you're going to last a short while in the Presidency (Speaker of the House)." Santos Jimemez replies, " I would have nevertheless lasted longer than Carlitos Hevia who only lasted 24 hours."

 Santos Jimenez is referring to a former President, Carlos Hevia, who lasted only 24 hours as President of Cuba. Apparently Santos Jimenez was being considered for the position of House Speaker.

This cartoon above, entitled "The Problem with the House of Representatives," appeared in a newspaper on October, 1941 by a well known cartoonist named David who would draw G. G. many times throughout his public career. Here, Gustavo says, "Frankly my friend, I'm Cuba (Creole) and I don't like presiding over a Hungarian Congress." In Cuba, a Hungarian Congress implied that there was a constant lack of communication and total confusion among the members of the House of Representative.

In this cartoon above by Silvio, which appeared in the newpaper "Zig Zag," a Congressman is consulting with a fortune teller who says, " I see a man who wants to harm you, really harm you..." The Congressman replies, " It's that Gustavo Gutierrez, who's insisting we all show up for work." 

This cartoon above by Vergara appeared in the news paper El Mundo on October 5th, 1941. It's entitled "In the Capital Building." A gentleman walks up to a guard and asks to speak to a certain Representative, Juan Perez. The guard responds, " A Congressman here? You must be mistaken. This is the Capital Building!"

In this cartoon, entitled "The Congressional Mess," also by Vergara, one man says to another, " I'm going to go see Gustavo Gutierrez and explain to him how he can reach a quorum in the House." The other man asks, " Alright, and how do you expect to accomplish this?" the first man replies, " We'll conduct the sessions at the baseball games."

GG resigns as House Speaker (Carteles) 1941 #1

In the summer of 1941 Gustavo Gutiérrez resigned as Speaker of the House. The caption below the photograph states, " Professor Gustavo Gutiérrez resigning as Speaker of the House, presented his resignation as "irrevocable" due to the lack of cooperation on the part of the congressmen." Professor Gutiérrez was unable to reach a quorum to vote on pending legislation. In other words, enough members of the House wouldn't show up for work to reach a quorum to pass bills and vote. This action on the part of Gutierrez prompted the press to produce a series of cartoons satirizing and poking fun of the scandal. (see G.G. Resigns as House Speaker #2)

In the October 19, 1941 edition of Carteles Magazine, at the top, the same is stated in more detail.

In the chapter The Cuban Parliamentary System in Action, 1940-1947, in The Journal of Politics, published by Cambridge University Press, William S. Stokes states, "Disturbances, heckling, absences and even fist fights characterized the session of both houses. Dr. Gustavo Gutiérrez, one of the strongest and most able advocates of the parliamentary system, resigned as President of the House because of the difficulty of obtaining quorums and the general indifference of members to their congressional responsibilities."

Carlos Marquez-Sterling, who would replace Dr. Gutierrez as Speaker stated this in 1976 in an article published in El Diario de las Americas, "A very difficult period since the House of Representatives erroneously respected the mandates of the members elected two years prior and as a result of the subsequent elections, the House consisted now of 243 representatives, with the earlier budget created for 120 representatives (The amount of elected representatives more than doubled), making the job of the Speaker a terrible nightmare in so far as running that legislative body."

C.W. Massaguer 1925 #2

In the September 1925 issue of Social, founded by Conrado W. Massaguer and one of Cuba's most popular magazines of the day, Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring, the magazine's literary director, wrote an article on Gustavo Gutierrez, celebrating this young man's remarkable professional accomplishments at the young age of 29. He begins the article by announcing the inauguration of a new section for the magazine entitled "The New Ones" where they'll feature the 'true generation of contemporary Cuban intellectuals' beginning with Gustavo Gutierrez who most recently was named by the Law Faculty of the University of Havana and the President of the Republic both Professor of International Public Law as well as Counsel to the Ministry of State, respectively.

Roig de Leuchsenring also states, "He's held important positions such as Secretario de la Primera Seccion del Primer Congreso Juridico Nacional, Secretario adjunto de la Sesion de la Habana, Secretary of the American Institute of International Law, Secretary of the Cuban Society of International Law and member of the American Society of International Law, the International Law Association of England, the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences (of Philadelphia)... graduating with honors in a double major (Civil Law and Public Law) Gustavo Gutierrez began his legal carreer in (Cuba's most prestigious) law firm of Dr. Antonio S. de Bustamante. He is one of the few young intellectuals of today who exercises his brilliant qualities in the fields of law and letters...Conscious of his rebellious nature, he (G.G.) didn't enter into politics until he created his own law firm in 1920, joining the Liberal Party at the invitation of General Jose Miguel Gomez...and forming part of the formidable Asociacion de Veteranos y Patriotas, of which the Consejo de los Cinco he became a leader, impeding and refusing the success of the (American) interventionist tendency...Elequent orator, profound author, untiring fighter, Gustavo Gutierrez is one of the most valient young men of his day in areas of politics and intellectual pursuits, of whom it can be said, that unlike most, the future belongs to him."

"

C.W. Massaguer 1938 #1

Conrado W. Massaguer was a renowned writer, journalist, magazine publisher and illustrator. He was a personal friend of Gustavo's and from time to time they would include one another in their works (see blog entry C.W.Massaguer #2). Massaguer's illustrations appeared in " La Revista de La Habana" and Gustavo appeared in numerous of Massaguer's works. Massaguer appears in the group photograph of contributors at a lunch given by Gustavo for the launching of the magazine (please see blog entry La Revista de La Habana).

 The above newspaper clipping shows a cartoon of Dr. Gutierrez by Massaquer (late 1930s ?) with a commentary that says,"...Gustavo, the creator of "La Revista de La Habana" has a solid name among lawyers, literati and internationalists. Presently he's a congressman with title of ambassador. As a handsome young lad he had a love for the sea and navigated a Crisscraft on which this "photographer" made numerous dangerous excursions off the waters of Marianao. Now he navigates a law firm on Teniente Ray Street with his suit case ready to jump to Lake Success or Korea if he's needed."

Cuba purchases British Railway properties 1953

In 1953 Cuba purchased the lands upon which British owned "United Railroads" ran. This acquisition was a project in which G.G. was an originator. He was at the forefront of movements within Cuba's political and economic elite in acquiring foreign holdings as a matter of national pride as well as sound financial and economic policy. For example, by 1958 Cuban nationals owned the majority of Cuba's sugar production.

Cuba's Voice in Geneva and Petropolis 1954

In November 1954 the Contracting Parties to the GATT met again in Geneva and then in Petropolis (Brazil) to discuss developments since it's creation in 1947. G.G. had been Technical Director of the Cuban Delegation in 1947. Now in 1954 he served as head of the Cuban Delegation while Minister of Finance. He addressed the  general assembly in both countries. Below are some of the declarations he made.

In Geneva: (English translation)

 " My country, for instance, is faced with an uneasy economic situation as a result of international action for which the GATT seems to offer no remedy. With it's national economy depending fundamentally on the production of sugar, Cuba is forced to expand it's production in times of national emergency in order to supply the world with it's energy producing product at controlled prices, without compensation in normal times when prices drop, markets are closed by the existence of excessive internal taxes or import permits and the international monetary funds fail to solve the problem of lack of exchange for it's purchase. But in the meantime, our population continues to increase and with it unemployment..."

"We need to defend our sugar production but at the same time take it out of it's role of principal supplier of national economy by diversifying our agricultural production and seeking a reasonable industrialization of our country for the purpose of providing work for Cuba's labor force and increasing it's citizen's purchasing power..."

"It is necessary also to endeavor in some way to mitigate the adverse relation of interchange that takes place in our country---just as it does in all underdeveloped countries---as a result of exporting primary products at low prices, officially or extra-officially controlled, and of importing generally high priced products that are almost never subject to control."

"For this reason the Cuban government in March 24, 1954 began a tariff reform with a dual purpose: 1) to adjust the obsolete Cuban Customs Tariff to modern nomenclatures and techniques and, 2) to protect the economic development of the country..."

"Any attempt at an indefinite freezing or general and indiscriminate reduction of Customs duties, without taking into account the peculiarities of each under-developed nation, would constitute true economic aggression."

"Some representatives of industrialized countries with a large foreign trade seem to be fundamentally preoccupied in finding the way to sell more to others, without giving proper attention to the necessity others also have of selling, in order to be able to buy. In this sense the display of agility is really astonishing because of it's ingenuity; but we would feel more at ease if greater emphasis were placed on the need for raising the standard of living of all the peoples, beginning with the under-developed countries---which have the great majority of the population of the world---in order to achieve a general increase in the purchasing power of all the peoples."

In Petropolis:

"No podemos, los paises latinoamericanos buscar exclusivamente en el exterior la solucion de nuestros propblemas."

"Nuestro pais practica con hechos el principio del auto-desarrollo. Utilizando exclusivamente nuestros recursos economicos y financieros, hemos financiado por 120 millones de pesos (sabido es que el peso cubano esta en paridad con el dolar americano) la retencion del excedente de nuestra zafra azucarera de 1952; hemos construido en este ano de 1953 mas de cuarto mil kilometros de caminos vecinales, cientos de kilometros de carreteras, y varios acueductos y hospitales; hemos adquirido de los propietarios ingleses en 13 millones de pesos los Ferrocarriles Unidos de La Habana y utilizado mas de 7 millones de pesos en su reabilitacion, que estamos llevando a efecto; estamos dragando los puertos; estamos desarrollando a un costo de 14 millones de pesos la primera Central Hidroelectrica del Hanabanilla y contemplamos la inversion de unos 15 millones de pesos en el establecimiento de fabricas de glicerina y de papel utlilizando el bagazo de cana; hemos creado la Financiera Nacional de Cuba, el Banco Cubano del Comercio Exterior y estamos organizando el Instituto Cubano de Investigaciones Tecnologicas; estamos realizando la reforma aranceleria con objeto de adecuar los obsoletos aranceles de aduana cubana a las modernas nomenclaturas y tecnicas de la materia, y de defender el desarrollo economico del pais; y hemos iniciado un Plan de Desarrollo Economico y Social que representa una inversion de 350 millones de pesos en 4 anos. Al observar este gigantesco esfuerzo que significa una mobilizacion de mas de 500 millones de dolares sin la cooperacion, hasta el presente, de ninguna de las agencias internacionales de credito, se comprende hasta que punto preocupa a mi Gobierno la necesidad de combatir el desempleo en nuestro pais."

"Comprendemos perfectcamente que el "role" de lideres de la democracia mundial que actualmente desempena los Estados Unidos de America, los obligan a compromisos y cargas realmente grandes en todas partes del mundo (Japon e Europa post guerra), pero no debe olvidarse que sus mejores amigos estan en este Continente."

"El bienestar economico y social de los 170 millones de personas que habitan al sur del Rio Grande sera la defensa mas efectiva contra las penetraciones exteriores. Pero al propio tiempo, la desatencion de ese bienestar constituiria una linea de intensa y creciente peligrosidad." (En el ano 1948 G.G. le comento a un pariente que temia que Cuba podria ser el primer pais de America Latina a  caer en manos de los comunistas).

(English translation)

"We, the Latin American countries, cannot look abroad exclusively for the solutions to our problems...We believe that the economic development of a country depends fundamentally as much on it's own efforts as upon it natural resources..."

"Our country practices the principle of self-development. By using exclusively our economic and financial resources we have financed at 120 million pesos ( and it is known that the Cuban peso is on a par with the American dollar) the retention of the surplus of our 1952 sugar crop; we have constructed during this year, 1953, more than 4,000 kilometers of feeder or side roads, hundreds of highways and several aqueducts and hospitals; we have acquired the United Railways of Havana from it's English owners for 13 million pesos and have spent more than 7 million pesos in it's rehabilitation which is now underway; we are dredging our ports; we are putting up at a cost of 14 million pesos, the First Central Hydroelectric Plant of the Hanabanilla River and are contemplating the investment of 15 million pesos in the establishment of glycerine and paper plants using sugar cane bagasse as raw material; we have organized the Financiera Nacional de Cuba, the Cuban Foreign Trade Bank, and  are organizing the Cuban Institute of Technical Research; we are undertaking revision of our tariffs for the purpose of putting our obsolete Customs Tariffs in line with modern nomenclatures and techniques on the subject of protecting the economic development of a nation; and we have started a Plan of Economic and Social Development that represents an investment of 350 million pesos in 4 years. In observing this gigantic effort, which involves the mobilization of more that 500 million pesos without the cooperation up to the present time of any of the international credit agencies, the extent to which my Government is preoccupied by the need for combating unemployment in our country can be understood."

"We realize perfectly well that the role of leader of world democracy, at present being held by the United States of America, obliges it to undertake truly large commitments and burdens all over the world, ( post war Europe and Japan) but it should not loose sight of the fact that it's best friends are on this Continent."

"The economic and social welfare of the 170 million people who live south of the Rio Grande will be the most effective defense against foreign penetration. But at the same time, failure to look after that welfare would create a line of intensive and growing danger" (In 1948 G.G. commented to a relative that he feared that Cuba could become the first country in Latin America to fall into the hands of communism.)