File No. 2126/322.
Minister Furniss to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, November 26, 1908.
Haitian Government notifies me that the ports declared blockaded have been also declared closed to commerce. As it requires act of Congress to open ports it is not executive prerogative to close them. Haitian minister for foreign affairs admits Government’s inability to make blockade effective. Haitian Government has notified local steamship agents that merchandise for ports declared blockaded and closed must be landed here. As now greater part of such merchandise comes from the United States acquiescence to such notification would seriously affect our firms who have sold to ports illegally closed and now under paper blockade.
German vessel has arrived to-day from New York with cargo for Jeremie. What action shall I take concerning American merchandise?