File No. 738.3915/118.]
The Secretary of State to the American Minister to Haiti .
Washington , June 29, 1912 .
The Dominican Minister has handed the Department a note, with inclosures, from which it appears that soon after the assassination of President Cáceres, and under pretext of helping the Dominican Government to capture the assassins near the frontier, the Haitian authorities moved into territory east of the Pedernales River, theretofore in the peaceful possession of the Dominican Government, and continue to occupy it. It also apears that the Dominican Minister to Haiti repeatedly protested against that occupation, but the Haitian Government has taken no steps to comply with its plain duty by withdrawing its troops and civil officers from the territory in question. You will consult the Dominican Minister as to this.
You will also immediately inform the President of Haiti that complaint as above has been made to this Government; that the complaint seems well founded; that any failure on the part of Haiti to observe, in compliance with its undertaking made to this Government and to the Dominican Government, the status quo that existed at the time the good offices of this Government were accepted, would be to the highest degree prejudicial to an amicable settlement, and would also be so contrary to Haiti’s express agreement and therefore such a glaring disregard of the good faith that must obtain between nations in their dealings as to create a serious situation and make it hard for this Government to believe that the Haitian Government understands what that situation really is; that, furthermore, in order to avoid any untoward incident, this Government must request the Government of Haiti immediately to withdraw such of its military and civil authorities as may be in or occupying points east of the east bank of the Pedernales River between its headwaters and its mouth, as also points between its headwaters and Jimini, which were occupied by the Dominican authorities at the time of the acceptance of the good offices of this Government, if any such forces or authorities are in said localities. You will impress upon the Haitian Government the gravity of any violation of agreements relating to this matter.