File No. 819.77/173.
The Secretary of State to Minister Price.
Washington, February 7, 1914.
Consult freely with Colonel Goethals and discuss with him all details of the Hebard railway contract. You should bear in mind that the three points to which the Department objects are (1) contravention of Article 5 of the Canal Convention (2) features objectionable from military standpoint (3) pledging annuity of $250,000 or income from six million dollars permanently invested.
Report fully, by cable, if necessary, conclusions reached at this conference.
Department desires duplicate copies with translations of proposed contract with Hebard and Company. State if this is ad referendum.