File No. 839.00/1952
The Secretary of State to
the President
Department of State,
Washington,
November 22, 1916.
My dear Mr. President: The situation in the
Dominican Republic is approaching a crisis and we ought to determine
immediately a course of action as otherwise revolution and economic
disaster are imminent.
After reviewing conditions with Mr. Stabler, Chief of the Latin-American
Division, I requested him to embody the conclusions we reached in a
letter to me, which he has done and which I enclose to you together with
other papers bearing on the subject. You will also perceive that Mr.
Polk has taken up the matter with Mr. Stabler, Minister Russell, Admiral
Benson and Captain Knapp. Captain Knapp is a most competent officer and
has been since the beginning
[Page 241]
of the war a member of the Neutrality Board. He has just been given
command of the squadron in Dominican waters. I know him well and place
great reliance upon his judgment and discretion.
I will be glad to receive at your earliest convenience your instructions
as to the course which should be taken.
[Inclosure]
The Chief of the Latin-American
Division to the Secretary of
State
Department of State,
Division of
Latin-American Affairs,
Washington,
November 21, 1916.
Dear Mr. Secretary: There is attached
herewith a memorandum made by the American Minister to Santo
Domingo, dated November 9;7 a memorandum of a conference which was held
between Mr. Polk, Admiral Benson of the Navy, Captain Knapp, Mr.
Russell and Mr. Stabler on October 31;7 and also a draft of a proclamation
declaring that Santo Domingo be placed under military
government.
The situation has now reached a very serious point, in view of the
fact that according to telegrams from the Legation at Santo Domingo
the President has issued a decree convoking the electoral college
for the purpose of electing senators and deputies. It is apparent
that the majority of the senators and deputies will be from the
Arias faction, hence giving Arias, who has been the disturbing
element in Santo Domingo for many years, complete governmental
control, even in the event of the election of Henríquez as
constitutional president.
This new phase of the situation, coupled with the fact that the
provisional government will not meet the views of the United States
in regard to the establishment of financial control and
constabulary, brings the Government of the United States face to
face with a serious problem.
The withholding of the funds by the United States Government, on
account of the fact that recognition has not been granted to
Henríquez, has brought an economic crisis in the country which is
daily growing worse and for which this Government would not wish to
be placed in such a position that it would be held responsible.
After careful consideration of the matter, in conference with the
Navy Department, it was thought that the only solution of the
difficulty would be the declaration of martial law and placing of
Santo Domingo under military occupation, basing this on the
interpretation which the United States has given to the Dominican
Convention of 1907 and also upon the present unsettled conditions in
the Republic.
Captain Knapp, who has gone in command of the cruiser squadron of the
Atlantic fleet as Commander of the Forces in Dominican waters, is
understood to have arrived today in Santo Domingo and it is felt
that no time should be lost in instructing him to put into effect
the proclamation declaring military control and to immediately
commence the disbursement of the funds under martial law.
[Subinclosure]
Draft of a Proclamation
[This is the draft by Captain Knapp, Commander of the Cruiser
Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet; it was sent to the President and by
him amended and returned with his letter of November 26, post. For
the proclamation as issued by Captain Knapp, see inclosure with Mr.
Brewer’s No. 143 of December 6, post.]
