Office of the Historian

Mr. Adee to Mr. Powell.

Department of State,
Washington, August 16, 1902.
No. 530.]

Sir: In reply to your telegram of the 9th instant asking, at the request of the Provisional Government of Haiti, the prevention of shipments of arms and ammunition from this country to certain specified places in Haiti, I inclose for your information copy of an instruction issued by the Secretary of the Treasury to all United States collectors of customs, directing them to take such measures as may be practicable to enforce the neutrality laws, upon any evidence of unlawful proceedings which may become known to them.

It is properly permissible to the diplomatic and consular representatives of Haiti in the United States to bring to the knowledge of the local collectors of customs and United States attorneys any facts of which they may have knowledge or belief tending to show actual or intended violation of the neutrality laws within the jurisdiction of the United States.

I am, etc.,

Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure.]

The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to collectors of customs.

Treasury Department,
Washington, August 14, 1902.

Sir: This Department is informed by the Department of State that a cablegram has been received from the United States minister to Haiti stating that the Provisional Government of that Republic has informed him that Gonaives, Port de Paix, [Page 636] Petit Goave, and St. Marc are in rebellion, and have requested that this Government prevent any shipment of arms and ammunition to those places. Should any facts come to your notice indicating that an infringement of the neutrality laws is contemplated, you will please take such measures as may be practicable to enforce the due observance of the obligations of neutrality they impose. If necessary, you will advise with the United States attorney.

Respectfully,

—— ——, Assistant Secretary.