Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 7, 1915

File No. 711.38/32.

The Secretary of State to Chargé Davis.

[Telegram.]

Department of State,
Washington, September 15, 1915—5 p.m.

Your September 14, 8 p.m. You may conclude treaty without requiring passage of a resolution by Congress authorizing the President of Haiti to enter into a modus vivendi, provided that modus vivendi be signed simultaneously with the treaty.

Upon ratification of the treaty the United States will lend its good offices to secure such loans as may be necessary. It is thought desirable that a commission with full powers be sent to Washington to negotiate this loan and likewise to arrange all pending differences with the National Bank of Haiti and with the American Railway Company, to assist in the settlement of which this Government will also lend its friendly good offices.

Meanwhile, upon ratification of the treaty by the Haitian Congress, this Government will take the necessary steps to obtain an advance by the National Bank of Haiti of $100,000 to meet pressing needs.

Lansing.