File No. 839.00/998a.
The Secretary of State to the American Minister.
Washington, December 10, 1913.
The observation of the elections will be under your direction, but you will be assisted by three members of the Department of State who will arrive at Santo Domingo the 13th instant on the Nashville; the Department desires you to know that it has great confidence in their judgment and will be glad to have you confer with them on important matters. They are sent in an unofficial capacity, therefore, it will not be advisable for you to ask officially for free entry for their effects; but you may unofficially inform the Dominican Government that the granting of customs courtesies will be viewed appreciatively by the Department.
Thirty additional assistants will arrive from Porto Rico on the Algonquin on the 11th instant, who will assist you and the delegates from the Department in observing the elections.