Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 5, 1916

File No. 839.00/1819

[Untitled]

American Legation,
Santo Domingo , May 7, 1916, 7 a.m.

The President, forced by family and Cabinet, resigned rather than face the responsibility for loss of life and disastrous consequences that would result from capture of the city by our forces. The President had plenty of men but was absolutely out of ammunition and could do nothing without our assistance which he declined to accept at the last moment. This is not the end but the beginning of trouble and I strongly advise that forces be kept just where they are for the present.

Russell