Minister Dawson to the Secretary of State.
Santo Domingo, November 3, 1905.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 23d of October President Morales verbally told me he had just received word that Mr. Morris, an American in the employ of Colonel Colton, general receiver of the Dominican customs service under the modus vivendi, had been ambushed and seriously wounded at a remote point of the interior near the Haitian frontier. We at once sent for Mr. Colton, and the President said that every possible measure would be taken for the rescue of Mr. Morris from his difficult position and for the capture and punishment of the criminals. The report of the affair gave no details, and while we felt sure that it had no immediate political significance it appeared that disorders might spread when the Dominican troops should reach the scene with orders to hunt down the assassins.
I thereupon requested the senior naval officer at this station to send for me the following cipher telegram to Admiral Bradford:
Santo Domingo, October 24, 1905.
Bradford, Olympia, Monte Christi:
The official of the American customs authorities Morris wounded and one native soldier killed near Neyba October 21. Detachment about fifty men was sent from Santo Domingo city October 23. There is no significance politically, but trouble might grow. A vessel may be needed at Azua later.
Dawson.
To this Admiral Bradford replied as follows:
Monte Christi, October 26, 1905.
“Scorpion” (for Dawson):
I understand you will advise me if there is any necessity for ships at Azua. All busy, but will send one from north coast if there is any necessity.
Bradford.
I immediately answered as follows:
Santo Domingo, October 26, 1905.
Bradford, Olympia, Monte Christi:
Neyba news reassuring. No immediate need of ship.
Dawson.
I also confirm my telegram to you as follows:
Santo Domingo, October 24, 1905.
Secretary of State, Washington:
American Customs Official Morris wounded and Dominican customs guard killed by smugglers 21st near Neyba. Fifty soldiers sent from here 23d to pursue murderers. Has no significance politically, but smugglers’ friends numerous. There may be resistance. War vessel should be in readiness to go to Barahona. Have informed Admiral.
Dawson.
and your reply thereto:
Washington, October 25, 1905.
Dawson, American Legation, Santo Domingo:
The following letter has been sent to the Secretary of the Navy:
“This Department has just received the following dispatch from the American minister to Santo Domingo [quoting yours of the 24th]. In describing Mr. Morris as an American customs official Mr. Dawson of course means that Morris is an American who is an official in the Dominican customs service. The whole system of revenue collection in Santo Domingo at the present time exists under Dominican authority solely and the officers engaged in administering it are executing the laws of the Dominican Republic under the authority of the Dominican Government, and are in no sense American officers or acting under American authority. It seems important to see that this distinction is understood by all officials and representatives of our government.
“Presence of an American war vessel Barahona would therefore be only for the purpose of protecting lives and property of American citizens in case disorder is found to exist or is imminent to such degree that they are not being or can not be properly protected by the Dominican authorities.”
If ship needed at Barahona, I think it is desirable that the Dominican Government request its presence in order to protect American citizens. Reply.
Root.
and my further telegram, as follows:
Santo Domingo, October 26, 1905.
Secretary of State, Washington:
Telegram received. Distinction clearly understood. Latest news from Neyba reassuring. People showing no sympathy with assassins. There is no necessity for Dominican Government at the present moment to request presence of American ship Barahona. Morris without good medical attendance. Dominican vessel carries Scorpion’s surgeon Barahona to-day.
Dawson.
The fact that Mr. Morris is a Dominican and not an American official was well understood by President Morales and myself, but when the first meager reports came in it seemed to both of us advisable to inform Admiral Bradford and the State Department, so that the Navy would be prepared to promptly aid the Dominican Government in case the latter should find itself compelled to request its assistance in the protection of him as an American citizen. Having been informed on the 25th by Colonel Colton that he desired to send at once a trusted subordinate, accompanied by the Scorpion’s surgeon, the President at once placed the Dominican gunboat at his disposal for that purpose.
[Page 391]After considerable difficulty and delay Colonel Colton’s representatives reached the place where Mr. Morris was lying and conveyed him to this city. His wounds are severe, but he will survive. The Dominican authorities intrusted with the identification and capture of the criminals have, so far as yet reported, met with no success. It is regarded as of great importance to the future success of the customs service that the criminals be determinedly followed up.
The latest reports make it to me seem possible, though not likely, that some resistance may be encountered among the ignorant and semicriminal classes in the wilderness along the Haitian frontier.
I have, etc.,
[Note.—Subsequent correspondence will be printed in Foreign Relations 1906.]