Mr. Adee to Mr. White.
Washington , September 27, 1902 .
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Jackson’s No. 2070, of the 10th instant, reporting regarding the relations between Germany and Haiti and referring to the closure to commerce by the decree of the provisional government of the ports of Gonaives, St. Marc, and Port de Paix.
The United States minister at Port au Prince was instructed by this Department, on its receiving the information of the closure of those ports, that this Government could not recognize such an order, unless supported by an effective blockade of which due notice should be given, as having any international effect, or as binding on foreign commerce.
He was, however, directed at the same time to inform the provisional government that this Government would cheerfully recognize an effective blockade of those ports, due notice thereof having been given.
The provisional government has since proclaimed a blockade of the ports mentioned. The United States minister was then instructed to report what measures, if any, had been taken in the direction of an effective blockade. He telegraphed that two chartered vessels had been sent to enforce the proclamation of blockade. This information was then communicated to the Secretary of the Navy with the request that the commander of the U. S. S. Montgomery, now in those waters, be instructed to report whether an effective blockade is now maintained. If found ineffective, the Navy Department will be requested to protect neutral vessels in their international law rights in the premises, precisely as was done in the case of the ineffective blockade [Page 444] of Cape Haitien, which was declared by the revolutionary government of Mr. Firmin, and attempted to be enforced by his steamer, the Crête-à-Pierrot.
I am, etc.,
Acting Secretary.