File No. 838.51/416.
The Secretary of State to Chargé Davis.
Washington, September 11, 1915—3 p.m.
In view of possibility of future misunderstandings as to correct interpretation of treaty provisions growing out of alleged differences of intent between the English and French texts, which, as in the case of the 1907 Convention with Santo Domingo, might result in delays and unnecessary expense and trouble for both Governments, the Department desires you to obtain from President Dartiguenave, through an exchange of personal and informal notes, or by any other desirable means, an undertaking to the effect that in the event of any question arising as to a correct interpretation of any clause of the treaty, the English text shall prevail.
The Department hopes to receive by the first of next week advice of the satisfactory conclusion of the treaty.