File No. 711.38/28.
Chargé Davis to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, September 4, 1915—10 a.m.
Indications now are that certain members of Cabinet will resign and their places will be filled by men more in sympathy with the desires of the United States.
Should President agree to sign the treaty, must I insist on a previous resolution by Chamber of Deputies authorizing him to act?
Since the United States has agreed to allow certain modifications of the treaty, and a resolution embodying “without modification” is no longer applicable, does the Department desire a resolution of any kind, or would signing under constitutional powers suffice?
Government informs me unofficially that our declaration of martial law yesterday afternoon has greatly strengthened its position, and will facilitate speedy ratification by Chamber of Deputies in case treaty agreement arrived at.