File No. 839.00/551.]
The Secretary of State to the American Minister to the Dominican Republic.
Washington, April 24, 1912.
You will unofficially hand the following memorandum to the Dominican Government, textually:
Profoundly moved by the useless loss of life, disturbance to commerce, and heavy expense resulting from the revolutionary disorders in the Dominican Republic, the Government of the United States hastens to counsel the Dominican Government to make friendly overtures to the leaders of the revolution with a view to some arrangement or understanding that will end the present state of affairs, which should alarm all good Dominican patriots.
You will then further impress upon the Dominican Government the serious concern of this Government, which expects the Dominican [Page 347] Government to take immediate, proper and effective steps to meet the present crisis, such as amnesty to those not accused in legal form, adding that it is understood that the maintenance of the authority of the central Government should result from such a course.