File No. 838.00/930.
Consul Livingston to the Secretary of State.
Cape Haitien, May 26, 1914.
Sir: Referring to a telegraphic authorization from the Department of State, received through the American Legation at Port au Prince on the 19th instant, for me to proceed to the Haitian frontier town of Ouanaminthe in company with Monseigneur Frangois Marie Kersuzan, Bishop of Cape Haitien, and use my good offices with a view to a peaceful settlement of the differences between the Haitian Government and the leaders of the revolution, I have the honor to state that* * * at midnight of the 20th, I was called and informed that a gunboat had arrived and would take me to Monte Cristi.* * * We reached Monte Cristi at midday. I immediately went ashore and was informed that the Bishop was there, having already visited Ouanaminthe and returned. I repaired at once to the place where he was stopping and was informed of the results of his attempt at mediation. He was received by the leaders of the revolution with all due respect and consideration, and discussed the matter with them in all its phases. He appealed to them in the interest of humanity without producing any visible effect. He then directed their attention to the critical condition of their country and made appeal to their patriotism. They stubbornly and absolutely refused, claiming themselves to be the aggrieved party and holding the Haitian Government responsible for the loss of life and for any misfortune that might befall the country.* * *
I set out the same afternoon for Dajabon and Ouanaminthe. We arrived at Dajabon at 6:30 o’clock in the afternoon, and the next morning I sent my card over to Ouanaminthe to General Davilmar Theodore, the chief of the revolution, requesting him to fix an hour for receiving me. He wrote back that he would be very glad to receive me at eleven o’clock. At that hour I found General Théodore, the revolutionary cabinet, and the leading generals of the movement awaiting me. They received me very cordially.* * * I informed them that I could not discuss the relations existing between [Page 345] them and the Government party but simply desired to see if it were not possible for the two parties to have some understanding whereby their differences might be composed in a way to put an end to hostilities. I dwelt at some length upon the critical condition of their country, reminding them of recent events that had transpired at Port au Prince and the menace of still graver complications if all parties did not come together and work for governmental stability and economy in the public administration.* * * They listened with great courtesy and attention and then replied that if the country should suffer from the present movement, if their autonomy should be menaced as a result of their efforts to overthrow the present Government, the fault should be placed with the Zamor brothers—the President and General Charles Zamor—and that no consideration of patriotism would induce them to suspend hostilities.* * * The unanimous decision of those who spoke was that the only condition on which they were willing to treat would be the retirement of both the Zamors. I expressed to them my regret that they should persist in regarding the matter in that light and informed them that I hoped still to be of service to them in case they should reconsider their decision.
It is possible that General Davilmar Théodore would accept terms of arrangement if left free to act on his own opinion. It seems that he is urged on and even menaced by a few of his generals and advisers who have been practically outlawed by the Government generals in command and who have nothing to expect from a peaceful arrangement.
The revolutionists are openly aided by the Dominicans across the frontier at Dajabon. They are as free on one side as on the other, and not only have thus a place of retreat if forced out of Ouanaminthe, but have agents there who supply them with provisions and ammunition whenever obtainable.* * *
I am [etc.]