File No. 738.3915/36.
The American Minister to Haiti to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, January 20, 1911.
During an interview with the President the latter stated that the Haitian minister at Santo Domingo had been instructed to offer prompt arbitration; that both Governments should withdraw their troops, and further construction of the road should be suspended. He stated that Haiti is prepared to defend her rights by force of arms, but prefers arbitration to permanently settle the difficulty. He requests the good offices of the President of the United States to prevent war and to urge arbitration of the pending difficulties. The German minister at Port au Prince offered to request the good offices of his Government, but the President of Haiti, being assured of the disinterestedness of the United States, prefers to make his request to that Government.