File No. 839.00/975.
The Secretary of State to the American Minister.
Washington, December 2, 1913.
The Department did not intend to disregard your November 22; by its November 24, 7 p.m., it thought to take additional precautions against fraud. Your recommendation of non-interfering scrutiny is approved.
Through the Bureau of Insular Affairs the Department will have suitable agents from Porto Rico conveyed to Santo Domingo in time to study conditions and take their posts before the election; and will send from Washington three or four qualified men duly accredited as the Department’s commissioners, who will supervise the Department’s agents at the polling-places.
The Department is preparing a printed statement in Spanish to be distributed throughout the Republic clearly defining its position.
The Navy Department has been requested to furnish a third vessel for duty in Dominican waters during the election.