File No. 839.00/1069a.
The Secretary of State to Minister Sullivan.
Washington, February 19, 1914, 1 p.m.
Department is impressed that the basis of permanent improvement in Dominican affairs depends upon the Constitutional Convention and Congress adopting its recent suggestions for reforms.
Personally interview President Bordas privately. Ascertain if he considers elimination of Arias and Vidal wall enable Convention and Congress to complete suggested reforms, and whether the position of Delegate in the Cibao, held by Arias, is constitutional, how many soldiers he has, whether his salary and sustenance and salaries of his soldiers are provided by the budget and paid by the Government, and, finally, how President Bordas plans to eliminate Arias and whether a serious revolution might not result in case Arias is dismissed and proclaimed an outlaw, as suggested in your February 12, 9 a.m.