File No. 837.00/1357
The Secretary of State to Minister Gonzales
Washington, May 18, 1917, 4 p.m.
Your May 16, 11 p.m. In view of unsettled conditions in Haiti commanding officer of the American forces in occupation has requested Navy Department to despatch to Haiti a further force of marines to reinforce his command. Navy Department informs this Department that only marine forces now available are those on duty in Cuba. Therefore Navy Department will withdraw these marines from Cuba to send them to Haiti, and Secretary of War has been requested to send to Guantanamo sufficient force to replace these marines and to remain in Guantanamo as reserve force for use wherever necessary. You will so inform President Menocal, explaining the reason for this action.