File No. 711.38/25a.

The Secretary of State to Chargé Davis.

[Telegram.]

For your guidance in informal conversations with the de facto President, you may use the following as your views of the motives and purposes of the Government of the United States:

To establish a stable government and lasting domestic peace so that the Haitian people may safely enjoy their full rights of life, liberty and property and all patriotic citizens may be encouraged to participate in the development of their country, the treaty submitted ought to be ratified immediately, and at the same time the Haitian Government should invite this Government to enter into a modus [Page 436] vivendi embodying the same terms as the treaty and to operate thereunder until the United States Senate has acted upon the treaty

You might express the conviction that, in case such a request for a modus was made, the Haitian Government would not find this Department unsympathetic toward any proper effort which might be made to place the Haitian finances on a sound basis so that the Haitian Government may be able to pay promptly adequate salaries to its officials; to establish a good School system; to build roads and generally facilitate the transportation and marketing of the products of the country; to extend and perfect the present telegraph lines and erect and maintain wireless stations; to undertake harbor improvements and municipal sanitation; and, by carrying on public works of this nature, to furnish employment to the people and afford them opportunities to improve their industrial and intellectual condition.

To the end that this economic development may be freely and safely undertaken by the Haitian people, it seems indispensable to organize and maintain a trained constabulary which will take the place of the Haitian army and which, well officered and properly equipped and disciplined, will possess sufficient power to preserve order, suppress insurrections, and protect life and property throughout the Republic.

With the great resources of Haiti undeveloped because of the frequent political disorders and the constant danger to life and property, the de facto President must desire to adopt measures which will remove these obstacles. Believing him to be inspired by patriotic motives and the sincere purpose to improve the conditions of the Haitian people by maintaining peace and securing to them their individual rights, he will undoubtedly aid in carrying out the steps suggested. In his efforts he may confidently expect the United States, which seeks only the welfare of Haiti and its people, to give to him such protection and assistance as it may properly render.

Lansing.