File No. 839.00/1914
[Untitled]
Washington, August 29, 1916, 5 p.m.
Your August 25, 6 p.m. and August 26, 9 a.m. Department concurs in your views as to commission. You are instructed to state that the Government of the United States does not consider that any commission from Santo Domingo at this time would serve any suitable purpose and that it prefers that negotiations be carried out in Santo Domingo, and that you have been given directions to this end.
A decree such as you outline would appear to be satisfactory and the reforms contained therein are absolutely essential at this time. The proposition from the President must be either in form of decree or presented in writing in such a way that it will be binding upon the country. The Department will continue its policy in regard to disbursement of finances and recognition of Government until proposals are definite and it is assured that revolutionary influences in Cabinet are terminated.