File No. 838.00/864.
Minister Smith to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, February 28, 1914.
The Department’s February 26. I have just had an interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Leger. Pending recognition, he declined to give definite replies to interrogations addressed to him in accordance with instructions of the Department, except as follows:
Mr. Léger stated that the question of building lighthouses will be submitted to the Council of Ministers and will have proper consideration; that he personally believed that they ought to be built.
He stated that he could give no reply whatever to the interrogatory as to customs administration and collection.
He stated further that he could assure my Government that Haiti would not grant any favors to any foreign government at Mole St. Nicholas, and that the matter would stand as arranged with Assistant Secretary of State Osborne in July, 1913.
He further stated clearly that all matters in which the United States might be interested would have due consideration for determination after recognition.
I am led to believe that it will not be possible to obtain any definite replies from Mr. Leger until recognition has been granted.