File No. 839.00/1714.
The Secretary of State to Chargé Johnson.
Washington, July 16, 1915—4 p.m.
Your July 9, 8 a.m., July 14, 8 a.m. Bring Department’s April 9, 7 p.m. emphatically to the attention of opposition leaders, especially Arias, informing them that in the event of the necessary landing of troops to preserve order they will be held personally responsible by this Government for previous disorder. Inform President that as Department will enforce policy of above telegram with strictness, his assumption of dictatorship not desirable unless impeached, as suggested in your July 7, 6 p.m.
Protest strongly against diversion of funds as contrary to the convention, and state that the Department will be very slow to accept political conditions as reasons for future advances to cover these diversions.
Also point out that this Government has given every evidence of its interest in Santo Domingo’s orderly development and of its willingness to assist the Jiménes Government by advice, by concessions, by advances of funds. That this Government is greatly distressed [Page 289] at spread of present disorder which may now require this Government to fulfill the assurance given under the Department’s instruction of April 9, 7 p.m. and therefore hopes that the representations to be made by you under this instruction to the opposition leaders will enable the President to prevail upon the political sense of the opposition in order to establish quiet.
The Department endorses the suggestion contained in the last paragraph of your telegram under acknowledgement and has requested that the Nashville now at San Juan, be immediately ordered to proceed to Santo Domingo City and that upon her arrival her captain to confer with you.