File No. 839.00/1065.
Minister Sullivan to the Secretary of State.
Santo Domingo, February 12, 1914, 9 a.m.
After the closest study of Dominican situation I am impelled to believe the country approaching bitter conflict. Arias, surrounded by several chiefs, is openly aspiring to Presidency. His success would be a disaster immeasurable. With him are associated Vidal, who aided in assassination of Cáceres; Victoria, with whose reign of terror you are familiar; Epñanio, a man of blood; and Brache, an American baiter. Arias has blackmailed all governments. He plays no favorites—all must pay. On indisputable authority he openly declares for plunder. At present he has great notoriety as smuggler, using two hundred mules bringing contraband from Haiti; avowed enemy of law and order. He and Vidal control constitutional convention and have great influence in Congress. Arias’ representatives tell me they will not accept any loan until they themselves distribute same. They hold several points of military advantage and insist that Bordas shall retire. Bordas decided today to refuse any alliance with above faction and will launch his own candidacy this week with two thousand signatures. Oratorical candidates of the respectable type will be Jiménez and Velásquez. I am convinced that it would be deplorable if Department does not take action that will eliminate Arias and his gang. There has never been a more evil combination in the history of this country. I earnestly urge that the present Government be encouraged to proclaim Arias an outlaw and pursue him that he be brought to the court. This is the alternative to having him appear soon as the leader of a revolution. I would precipitate action so that there may be a [?] of criminals rather than that his movements may take on the dignity of revolution. I learn that Vidal in his section has [Page 207] been busy with revolution in Haiti. There is no question but that all parties are playing politics with the loan, and Congress up to the present refuses to act. If the Provisional Government secures the distribution it will be strengthened thereby with the people of this country groaning for their wages. It is for the Department to decide whether this advantage will be given Provisional Government. Government’s personnel leaves much to be desired but they measure as high if not higher than any other group that might succeed them. Bordas is most friendly to our Government and I am disposed to believe is the best possible agency for implanting American ideas of good government in this country. His Government asks me whether the loan can be secured by administrative act. If this be done it will bear out almost to a certainty his reelection and it will also make the Provisional Government strong enough to deal with Arias. The idea of strengthening Bordas so that he may crush the smugglers and bandits who seek to control seems to me the most reasonable course to pursue. To remain passive seems to me to be almost shirking our responsibility. I deem the situation so grave that I believe a personal immediate report by myself would assist the Department in deciding upon a course of action. Knowing the delicate intricacy of Latin American affairs I hesitate to act without your instructions which I should have immediately. I am in touch with all leaders so that I will be able to follow any course you may outline.