File No. 838.00/924.
Chargé Terres to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, May 10, 1914.
Referring to the Legation’s telegram of March 22. The Bishop of Cape Hatien having solicited by letter the cooperation of Consul Livingston in a plan for the pacification of Haiti “in the interest of Christian humanity,” Livingston to-day brought the matter to the attention of this Legation. Having been unofficially informed on several occasions that the Haitian Government was eager that some such steps be taken for the discussion of terms of peace with Davilmar Theodore and feeling that Livingston is most familiar with the situation in the north, I gave authority to Livingston to see the President, instructing him that if it was the desire of the Haitian Government, he should make formal request for such action. Livingston saw the President and the following letter signed by the President was addressed to him: “Accepting gladly the voluntary offer of your good offices I request that you join with the Bishop of Cape Haitien in the efforts to be made at Ouanaminthe with a view to pacification.”
Livingston is of the opinion that terms of peace may be fixed through a visit to Ouanaminthe accompanied by the Bishop and has requested permission to undertake the mission. I would respectfully recommend to the Department that the necessary authority be communicated at as early a date as possible. Otherwise the present situation may be prolonged for weeks not only to the detriment of Haiti but of American interests as well. I await Department’s instruction which will be immediately communicated to Consul Livingston who departed for Cape Haitien early this afternoon.