File No. 838.00/1065.
The Secretary of State to Minister Blanchard.
Washington, December 19, 1914, 4 p.m.
Your December 12, 11 p.m. and your December 15, 11 p.m. Counter proposition seems based upon a misunderstanding of this Government’s position. While we desire to encourage in every proper way American investments in Haiti, we believe that this can be better done by contributing to stability and order than by favoring special concessions to Americans. American capital will gladly avail itself of business opportunities in Haiti when assured of the [Page 371] peace and quiet necessary for profitable production. Capital will not flow into Haiti except upon exorbitant terms and for speculative profits unless there is an assurance of peace and orderly government. If United States can, as a neighbor and friend, assist the Government and people of Haiti as it has assisted the Government and people of Santo Domingo, it will gladly do so provided that assistance is desired; but, as stated in our telegram December 12, 5 p.m., this Government does not care to assume these responsibilities except on request of the Haitian Government. The Government of the United States does not deem it proper to enter into such arrangements as those outlined in the proposition just submitted. The counter-proposition does not give any assurance that the Government of Haiti is stable or any promise of a reign of peace and prosperity. When American investors seek, to secure concessions we should be informed of the name and address of such Americans and of the terms or advantages asked, so that we may acquaint ourselves with the whole subject. Our obligation to the American people requires that we shall give all legitimate assistance to American investors in Haiti, but we are under obligations just as binding to protect Haiti, as far as our influence goes, from injustice or exploitation at the hands of Americans. Therefore, in order to perform our duty completely we must be fully informed as to the facts in each case.