File No. 839.00/1923
Minister Russell to the Secretary of State
Santo Domingo, September 5, 1916, 11 a.m.
The President sent Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance to me with the request that I submit to you the following proposition:
Simultaneously with the recognition by the United States Government of the Government of Dr. Francisco Henríquez and the resumption of payments in accordance with budget, President Henríquez will address a letter to the Minister of Finance ordering him to put no obstacle in the way of collection of internal revenues which, under the inspection of his ministry, is now being done by the receivership, nor to the disbursing of said revenues as well as customs revenues belonging to the Dominican Government, which disbursements will be made in accordance with the budget and other laws of the Dominican Congress relegating [sic] the present system of collecting as well as disbursing constitutes [sic] an act imposed by the intervening Government before the inauguration of the present administration and if obstacles are imposed it might cause difficulties which would prevent an understanding with the United States Government. This letter in no way implies a definitive approval of the present state of things but will be the means of facilitating final agreement between the parties. The President also declares that, having decided to organize the armed forces of the Republic on a scientific basis, he asks the President of the United States to recommend a technical officer to take charge of this work. This officer will act under a contract with the Dominican Government and will be assisted by a certain number of subalterns, Cubans, or from other Latin American Republics, and the military organization will be the same as that of North American, it being understood that until this organization is completed and in order to preserve public order there will be retained part of the present army and Republican Guard. The President also formally promises within thirty or sixty days after recognition to commence the discussion of a treaty between the United States and the Dominican Republic.
It is rumored on good authority that the President intends to resign unless recognized by us very soon. This would result in chaos and the only thing possible would be a de facto government or complete control by us.