File No. 711.38/76
The Secretary of State to the Minister of Haiti
Washington, May 1, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 27th ultimo in which, in reply to my note of the 5th ultimo respecting the interpretative commentary of the special committee of the Chamber of Deputies of Haiti, referred to in the decree of the Chamber of Deputies sanctioning the ratification by the President of Haiti of the Convention of September 16, 1915, between the United States and Haiti, you inform me that the Government of Haiti holds that the adoption of the interpretative commentary was not intended to and did not amend the Convention, and “hopes that the Department of State will accept the interpretative commentary in so far as it does not conflict with the terms of the Convention of September 16, 1915.”
In reply I have the honor to inform you that, reserving and leaving open, without prejudice, the question of whether the interpretative commentary is or is not acceptable to the Government of the United States, I accept your note as an agreement oil the part of the Government of Haiti that should the interpretative commentary hereafter be found not to accord with the English text of the convention, the particular provision of the convention in point shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the clear language of the English text of the convention as provided for in the notes exchanged between your Government and the American Legation at Port au Prince on September 16 and 20, 1915.
On this understanding I perceive no reason why we may not proceed to the exchange of the ratifications of the convention, and I shall be happy to meet you for the purpose of effecting the exchange at the Department of State on Wednesday, the 3d instant, at 11.30 a.m., if that time is entirely agreeable to you.
Accept [etc.]