File No. 339.112C42/5.
The American Minister to
the Secretary of State.
[Extract.]
American Legation,
Santo
Domingo, May 5,
1911.
No. 51.]
Referring to the cables on the subject,1 I now have the honor to inclose you herewith copies
and translations of all the correspondence relating to the incident that
took place on the 16th of April between the guard of the barracks in
this city and the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Chester.
The Spanish word “amonestados” employed in the note from the minister for
foreign affairs means “reprimanded” or “warned of doing something wrong
and intimation not to repeat.”
[Inclosure 1.]
The Commanding Officer of U.
S. S. “Chester” to the American
Minister.
U. S. S. “Chester,”
Santo Domingo City, April 17, 1911.
Sir: The following facts regarding an insult to my uniform are
brought to your attention with the request that, as our diplomatic
representative to the Republic of Santo Domingo, you take steps to
secure apologies from the officials concerned.
- 1.
- On the evening of April 16, 1911, about 8.30 p.m., while
returning to my ship, I passed a barracks near the water front.
Seeing a guard and officer, I inquired as to the name of the
building. The lieutenant grasped my arm and forced me toward the
street, indicating that I was to leave. I pointed to my uniform
and shoulder straps, and stated my position to be that of the
captain of the American man-of-war. This produced no effect and
he ordered the guard to send me away. The guard grabbed me by
the arms and hustled me down the street until, by persistently
demanding to see the commandante, I was permitted to do so. I
found him to be in civilian’s clothes, and that he had been
quietly sitting and watching the spectacle at the entrance to
the building. I was accused of trying to enter the building,
which was not true. The conduct of the men that were handling me
indicated that they were amused at the chance they had, and that
they were acting under an approving superior. There was light
enough, as the moon was up, to distinguish my uniform, as I
distinguished theirs.
- 2.
- Upon appealing to the commandante I obtained no redress
whatever. The commandante and the lieutenant should apologize to
me in the presence of the guard that was on duty, which guard
should present arms during the ceremony. The men that put their
hands on me should be put in irons for 10 days. The commandante,
in addition to the apology in front of the barracks where the
affair took place, should be required to call on board my ship,
should be relieved of his command, and the entire command
reviewed by me and my officers.
- 3.
- There were some civilian spectators to my affair. One lad that
spoke English followed me half way to my boat.
- 4.
- I have been told that the soldiers are insulting my men. It is
needless to invite your attention to the dangers of such a
condition of affairs to the peace of this community, and the
Government should use most stringent measures to see that the
United States uniform is respected.
Very respectfully,
Benton C. Decker,
Commander, V. S. Navy,
Commanding.
[Page 169]
[Inclosure 2.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the American
Minister.
[Translation.]
Office of the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs.
Santo
Domingo, April 19,
1911.
Book B. No. 116.
Mr. Minister: Referring to the regrettable
incident that took place at the entrance to the fortress on the
night of the 16th instant, and about which we have had several
interviews, I quote to you from a communication to this ministry
from the minister of war:
I send you herewith, to be returned, the communication which
the military commandant of the fortress here addressed to
this ministry in regard to the incident that took place at
the entrance to the fortress, between soldiers of the watch
on duty at the said fortress, and the commander of the
American man-of-war Chester. As may
be seen from the satisfactory explanations given in this
matter by the military commandant, it is clear that our
military officers could not have had the remotest idea of
provoking any friction which might belie the good and
cordial relations which exist between the two Governments.
In the hope that the explanations given by the military
commandant of the fortress here will definitely put an end
to the displeasure on the part of Commander B. C. Decker, to
which, under other circumstances, the unforeseen incident
that took place at the entrance to the fortress on the night
of the 16th instant might have given rise, this ministry
expresses to you its highest consideration.
The official letter from the military commandant of this fortress, to
which the above-quoted communication refers, states, among other
things, as essential points, that neither he nor his officers were
acquainted with the commander of the American cruiser Chester; that although the above-mentioned
commander made known his rank, it was thought he was some stranger,
who, making use of a military uniform, was trying to enter the said
fortress for some unknown purpose; all the more so as the commander
of the Chester persisted in his intention of
entering.
The military commandant of this fortress concludes his report with a
statement to the effect that he would be very glad to have the
commander of the Chester informed that,
during those hours when entrance to the fortress is not forbidden,
he would take especial pleasure in showing it to him, as well as in
giving him in person the preceding explanations.
I take, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
The American Minister
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Legation,
Santo
Domingo, April 25,
1911.
No. 41.]
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to refer to
a communication from your excellency’s predecessor, No. 116 of April
19, in regard to the incident at the military barracks on the night
of the 16th instant between the guard of said barracks and the
commanding officer of the United States cruiser Chester. My Government has been made acquainted with all
of the facts in the case, and of the contents of the communication
of his excellency the minister of war, and feels that the harsh and
violent treatment of an officer of the high rank of Commander
Decker, who was in the harbor with his ship on such a friendly
mission, was entirely unnecessary and uncalled for. The commandant
of the barracks admits that Capt. Decker made him understand who he
was, but takes the rather strange position that he did not believe
him, but thought he was some stranger disguised in the uniform of a
naval officer of the United States who was attempting to enter the
barracks.
In view of all the circumstances in the case, and of the absolute
absence, on the part of Capt. Decker, of any evil intent, my
Government expects an assurance from the Dominican Government that
the commissioned officers directly connected with this assault be
punished.
I take this occasion to renew to your excellency the assurance of my
most distinguished consideration.
[Page 170]
[Inclosure 4.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the American
Minister.
[Translation.]
Office of the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs,
Santo
Domingo, May 3,
1911.
Book B. No. 132.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s courteous communication
No. 41 of April 25, last.
As my colleague of the department of war and marine was informed of
the contents of your excellency’s courteous note above referred to,
I quote as follows to your excellency from said minister’s answer to
me: He says:
Referring to the particulars in your communication of the
29th of last month, Book A, No. 584, I take the occasion to
inform you that the officers directly concerned with the
disagreeable incident at the entrance to the fortress on the
night of the 16th of last month have been reprimanded.
I hope that the foregoing will sufficiently satisfy your excellency,
and I am pleased to embrace this opportunity etc.,
