File No. 839.00/1014.
[Untitled]
Santo Domingo, December 17, 1913.
Save in Santo Domingo and La Vega, the elections appear to have been held in an orderly manner. But in Santo Domingo the Government arrested four opposition leaders on the charge of conspiracy, thus intimidating the voters, who retired to their homes and could not be rallied to vote when, later in the day, I secured guaranties from the President that they would not be molested. The Government’s action was apparently unjustified and we therefore urged the Government to give a further opportunity for a full and free ballot, or some other remedy for the injury alleged to he done to the opposition; a full Cabinet meeting tomorrow will discuss the matter. Even as matters now stand, this is the nearest approach to an orderly and free election that has ever been enjoyed in this country.