File No. 839.00/1826
[Untitled]
Santo Domingo , May 15, 1916, 4 p.m.
Referring to my telegram of May 14, 9 a.m. After conferring Admiral Caperton I am of opinion impossible for any good to come this country by immediate election of the President by present Congress because it is probable that Arias or his candidate will be elected if action should be taken by Congress without delay. Arias is near city waiting for news of the election. Should this be favorable to him all our efforts past month will be nullified. If unfavorable he will surely begin revolution and may finally return to attack capital. In view of our statements past few years regarding Arias and also that no more revolutions would be tolerated here, it would seem final elimination Arias as a political or military factor must now be accomplished. In view of the fact that there is revolutionary movement throughout the country and of our military occupation of the city, it is my opinion Congress should not be allowed to proceed [Page 228] with election President until peace restored in entire Republic. I request specific instructions. We will have Congress delay any action in this matter until their receipt and can continue this course until country pacified and occasion favorable for elimination Arias from the election.