File No. 838.111/56.]
The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington, February 8, 1912.
Sir: I am directed by His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to communicate to you immediately the circumstances of the situation which have arisen in Hayti and which have been reported to me by cable. The Haytian Government called upon a considerable number of foreign merchants (more exactly, 114 in number according to a list that has been published) to liquidate their businesses by the end of May next, on the ground that trading licenses have been refused them in virtue of a law precluding Syrians from doing business in Hayti. A time limit which expires tomorrow, has further been fixed for the importation of goods by such firms. These measures have been persisted in, in spite of joint representations of the foreign representatives. It is considered possible that the action of the Haytian Government may have been to some extent influenced by foreign interests desirous of monopolising the Haytian market. Among the firms affected are important British interests and several United States citizens are also said to be concerned.
I am directed by His Majesty’s Government to express to you the hope that your Government will at once use its influence with the Haytian Government in inducing them to abandon this policy, and that the United States Government will further instruct its representative in Hayti to join His Majesty’s Consul-General in the strong representations which he has been instructed to make. These representations are to the effect that the licenses should be renewed to British firms immediately in every case where British nationality is clearly established; as His Majesty’s Government will not submit to withdrawal of a right which British subjects have been accustomed to enjoy and regard the action of the Haytian Government as an offence against international comity. Further, that if redress is refused steps will be taken to secure fair treatment. His Majesty’s Consul-General is instructed to make this formal demand with his colleagues, if they receive similar instructions in time, but to act independently if they do not do so.
[Page 532]I am further instructed to inform you that His Majesty’s Government cannot submit to such treatment of British subjects and failing compliance of the Haytian Government will be obliged to send ships of war to the Port of Prince. They are desirous, however, of notifying the United States Government beforehand of this possible necessity in order that such action, if it becomes indispensable, may not be open to misinterpretation, and to assure you that His Majesty’s Government have no other motive than to obtain the reversal of an unjust order and redress for British subjects.
I have [etc.]