File No. 839.00/1075.
Minister Sullivan to the Secretary of State.
Santon Domingo, March 2, 1914, 3 p.m.
Your February 27, 10 p.m. Bordas intends going to Puerto Plata. He knows Arias wants Vice Presidency and heavy tribute from Government receipts. Bordas asserts that tentative nature and uncertainty of your proposition for funds leaves him without strength he needs. With positive assurance of financial support Arias could be obliterated without serious consequences; that to accede to him terms which is the alternative without certainty of the Department’s position means fastening him upon country as a leech. Impossible for provisional Government to resist Arias in present bankruptcy. What offer would be justifiable to placate Arias? State how far Department thinks Government should go and consider whether Arias should be permitted to regulate elections in the north. An immediate answer will save all interested from vacillation which in my opinion would be most unfortunate in a situation demanding firmness and instant definite plan of procedure if, which is likely, Arias is not placated; funds are needed not for the future but at once.