Office of the Historian

File No. 838.00/831.

Minister Smith to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]
American Legation,
Port au Prince, February 10, 1914.

The Department’s February 9. The Minister for Foreign Affairs today gave me assurance in writing as to the stability and policy, as follows:

1.
The Government which the National Assembly has just established is stable because it depends on the cooperation of all Haitians truly desirous of the progress of their country. It will neglect nothing for the forcible protection of the persons and interests of foreigners as well as natives.
2.
All the departments have accepted and recognize the authority of the new President. The City of Cape Haitien alone is in possession of Mr. Davilmar Theodore and his bands. But the inhabitants of the city are heartily with the new President and it is certain that when the troops at present marching on Cape Haitien approach that city, Mr. Davilmar Theodore will be obliged to efface himself without our having to regret the spilling of blood.
3.
The attitude of Mr. Theodore causes no anxiety to the Government. Once the Cape is under the power of the new President, Mr. Theodore will be unable again to disturb the peace.

It is the unanimously expressed belief of the Diplomatic Corps that Theodore will be unable to cause serious disturbance. Our advices indicate Theodore has no money and but few soldiers. Zamor Government is considered strong, and only street talk and possibly some press despatches are to the contrary.

Smith
.