File No. 839.00/1948
[Untitled]
Santo Domingo, November 20, 1916.
Commission to consult on proposed legislation failed to agree and has discontinued conferences. President has issued a decree dated 14th convoking electoral college provinces on December 3 for the purpose of electing successors senators and deputies whose terms expire November 27; see Constitution, Article 85. Decree convokes electoral college Province Azua November 20 for election senator fill vacancy caused by acceptance former incumbent appointment Minister of War August last; see Constitution, Article 17. Decree also calls for meeting primary assembly commune San Francisco, Macorís, a case of vacancy in college caused by death; see Constitution, Article 83. In an open letter to governors charging them with the fulfillment of decree the President states the decree issued because of delicate situation between Governments Santo Domingo, United States requires permanent continuance legislative body and it does not conflict with law electing him Provisional President and he will fulfill provision of said law relative to convoking primaries for proceeding with election President of the Republic at the time therein set forth. In short, President recognizes actual electoral college purpose advantageous to members of Congress but will convoke primaries to name new college to elect successor to complete constitutional term Jimenez. Elections held and in four provinces returned delegation for Arias, his chief adviser being made senator. If elections contemplated in decree are held it is to be presumed that majority appointments will be of Arias party and if Congress thus composed is recognized and finally Hendríquez elected constitutional President, Arias will have accomplished end for which he has been working since his military elimination, namely, complete governmental control. Vasquez instructing his friends electoral college refrain from the election. Fairly reliable information President relying on resumption of negotiations with American Government in order to obtain ends mentioned herein.