Mr. Foster to Mr.
Durham.
[Telegram.]
Department
of State,
Washington, February 9,
1893.
Mr. Foster informs Mr. Durham that, while diplomatic settlement may be hoped
for, the President does not wish to use naval force to enforce reparation.
He instructs him to continue a firm course diplomatically and to suggest
that negotiations should not be embarrassed by the question of amount, which
if reasonable, would be acceptable.
[Inclosure in No.
158.—Translation.]
Mr. Lespinasse to
Mr. Terres.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
Port au Prince, January 23,
1893.
Mr. Vice-Consul-General:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the dispatch of your
legation of the date of the 23d instant, by which the minister resident
of the United States asks me if my dispatch of the same day’s date
should be interpreted as a refusal to indemnify Mr. Mevs.
On this point I can but refer you to my dispatch itself, of which the
terms seem to me sufficiently explicit. You most have there read the
following paragraph:
“In these conditions, Mr. Minister, I do not judge that Mr. Mevs has the
right to any reparation.”
I have well taken note that during the absence of the minister resident I
should address to you the communications that I have to make to your
legation.
I had no need of the recommendation which accompanied that notification.
The department of state for foreign relations can not in any
circumstance fail in the courtesy which the consideration and good
international relations demand for the representative of a power with
which the Republic is in good relations.
Please accept, etc.,
