File No. 838.51/457.
The Secretary of State to Minister Blanchard.
Washington, December 31, 1915.
Admiral Caperton will be authorized to make use of $50,000 of funds in his possession to defray unpaid salaries of public employees referred to in your December 30. This money shall not be paid to the Haitian Government but shall be drawn against by the Admiral or his personal representatives, who shall pay salaries direct to individual public employees, from whom they will obtain receipts presented in person. Preference should be given to minor employees, who are said to be in great want.
[Page 538]All salaries to military should be discontinued, including Minister of War and Marine. So-called palace guard shall be immediately disbanded.
After January 1, 1916, and until other arrangements can be made by officials to be appointed under modus vivendi, Admiral Caperton shall have complete control of disbursement of weekly allowance for maintenance of Haitian Government and shall make use of his representatives at various ports to see that proper proportion of money reaches public employees in the provinces.
Department will be glad to have you forward by mail all available data relative to financial situation of Haiti and such other information which may assist it in reaching an opinion on the actual needs of the Haitian Government and in drawing up a budget and a plan for the financial rehabilitation of Haiti.