File No. 838.00/1295.
The Secretary of State to Chargé Davis.
Washington, September 10, 1915—6 p.m.
In a note dated the 4th instant, Mr. Solon Ménos paraphrases a telegraphic instruction from President Dartiguenave wherein he pointed out that the arbitrary action of the United States forces in taking possession of customhouses, together with the threat to declare martial law, had aroused popular feeling to the highest pitch and had endangered a satisfactory conclusion of present negotiations, which he hoped would lead to an agreement in perfect harmony with the principle of the independence of Haiti. Mr. Ménos in conclusion expressed his belief that the United States, which never bent its energy on crushing the weak, would dismiss and disown any idea of violence against the Haitian nation or any plan against its institutions.
[Page 488]Mr. Ménos wrote again on the 6th to the effect that he had been informed by his Government of the declaration of martial law in the territory of Haiti, unduly occupied by American forces, which had led his Government to doubt whether these acts did not amount to a manifest invasion of the autonomy of the country whose institutions it was commissioned to defend; also that his Government would be glad to receive, through him, such explanations as would dispel the justified alarm of the Haitian people.
The department is loath to believe that Mr. Ménos has faithfully reflected the attitude of his Government in this matter, particularly in view of the resignation of Minister Sannon, and would be pleased if President Dartiguenave could see his way to write you informally to that effect and to state that these instructions were given to Mr. Ménos without his knowledge or consent. The President may be fully assured that his communication will be treated as strictly confidential.
I am to-day advising Mr. Ménos that his two notes and our informal conversations can, under present circumstances, only have an unofficial character. I shall also repeat my conviction that it will be to the best interests of Haiti for negotiations to be carried on at Port au Prince, exclusively.