File No. 839.00/1983

Minister Russell to the Secretary of State

No. 152

Sir: I have the honor to report that conditions here are growing better daily. The people have accepted the Military Government with remarkably good grace, and throughout the Republic a feeling of security obtains not experienced for some time. The payment of past due salaries and the regular disbursement of funds for services rendered have helped enormously.

The reconstruction work is a serious matter, as all departments of the Government were absolutely at a standstill when we took possession. The reforms to be instituted are many, and constant and careful study of the problem is necessary. The Military Government will have to continue for a considerable time before the country will be in a position for a de facto government of its own. The head of the Military Government, as well as all of the officers in charge of the departments, should be absolutely free from all other duties in order to conduct the government business. Captain Knapp as commander of the cruiser force has very important duties in connection with the fleet, and the naval officers in charge of the Executive Departments have their own ships to look after. The details of this important governmental work are vast and require constant attention and study, and there are so many opportunities for failure unless a thorough and well organized system of provisional government is established.

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The plan for the establishment of the constabulary has not yet been completed. Various conferences on this subject have been held, and the organization as proposed by the military was found to be entirely too expensive for the revenues of the country, considering the other pressing needs.

Referring to my telegram of December 28, 4 p.m.,2 and the reply of the Department of January 2, 4 p.m., I have to report that Captain Knapp, acting on my advice, had already issued an executive order suspending the functions of Congress and eliminating the emoluments of the Senators and Deputies. A copy of this order, No. 18, will be found amongst enclosures.

I enclose herewith copies2 of the Official Gazette containing all executive orders issued since the establishment of the Military Government.

I have [etc.]

William W. Russell
[Inclosure 1]

Executive Order No. 18

As no quorum of the Dominican Congress exists, due to the expiration of the terms of office of certain members of the Senate and House of Deputies, and to the fact that such elections as may have been held to fill vacancies so caused will not be recognized as valid by the Military Government, having been held under the direction of an administration not recognized by the United States, and to the further fact that all elections have been suspended for the present by Executive Order No. 12, of December 26, 1916; it is ordered:

First: That the sessions of Dominican Congress are suspended until after elections shall have been ordered and held to fill vacancies now existing; and

Second: That the Senators and Deputies whose terms have not expired are likewise suspended from office until the full Congress shall be called into session, and that in the meantime their emoluments shall cease.

H. S. Knapp
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.