Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 5, 1916

File No. 839.00/1951a

The Secretary of State to Clerk Brewer, in charge of the Legation archives

[Telegram]

Department of State,
Washington, November 27, 1916, 4 p.m.

The Government of the United States after careful consideration of conditions in Santo Domingo has now come to the conclusion that the only solution of this situation will be a declaration of military occupation in Santo Domingo, the establishment of a military government and placing the country under martial law. The Navy Department is sending instructions to Captain Knapp, Commander of the American forces in Santo Domingo, immediately to take this step and to issue a proclamation. You will therefore immediately confer with Captain Knapp and be governed in your actions by his proclamation.

This telegram is to be regarded as strictly confidential and to be communicated to no one except Captain Knapp.

Mr. Russell will leave Charleston December 4 for Santo Domingo on the U. S. S. New Hampshire, arriving about December 9.

Lansing