File No. 839.00/1826
The Secretary of State to Minister Russell
Washington, May 17, 1916, 4 p.m.
Department concurs in view expressed in your May 15, 4 p.m., regarding presidential election and endorsed by Admiral Caperton, Your action may be guided accordingly.
Your May 1, 2 p.m., May 2, 6 p.m., Department’s May 7, noon, and your May 10, 11 a.m. Report your opinion whether, if exercise of executive power by ministers proves inadvisable or fails to ensure method of government desired, the exigencies of present situation warrant consideration of validity of resignation of President in light of provisions of Article 50, Dominican Constitution and of your interpretation of true sentiments of Congress.
Your May 7, 4 a.m. Preparatory to permanent reforms, upon which we must insist, and in view of recent developments, also report whether complete disarmament of the revolutionary element throughout the country may now be opportunely effected.