File No. 439.00/8
Navy Department,
Washington
,
August 15, 1917
.
The Secretary of the Navy presents his compliments to the Honorable the
Secretary of State, and desires that I forward herewith for the
information of the Department of State certain correspondence from the
Military Governor of Santo Domingo and the Military Representative of
the United States in Haiti, under date of July 30, 1917, relative to the
inauguration of the Dominican Claims Commission of 1917, and desires
that the enclosed correspondence be returned to this Department when it
has served its purpose in the Department of State.
[Inclosure]
Admiral Knapp to
the Secretary of the Navy
Santo Domingo
,
July 30, 1917
.
With the arrival from Puerto Rico on Saturday of Mr. Martin Travieso,
Jr., the only member of the Dominican Claims Commission of 1917 who
up to that time was not present in Santo Domingo, the entire
personnel was assembled in this city and ready to begin work. It was
accordingly arranged to have the Commission sworn in by the Supreme
Court of Santo Domingo this morning, and later to have the Secretary
and clerical force sworn in by the President of the Commission.
It was my desire to make the occasion as impressive as circumstances
permitted, and I therefore invited the Governor of the Province of
Santo Domingo, the Archbishop, the American Chargé and several
Dominican gentlemen having important administrative posts, to be
present. I was myself present with all the members of my staff, and
the commander of the Second Provisional Brigade with members of his
staff, was also present. The officers of the Navy and Marine Corps
present included among their number all who are now administering
Dominican Government Departments. I would gladly have included many
more people, and especially all of the diplomatic corps, but the
very small capacity of the room in which the Supreme Court holds its
sessions prevented a larger attendance than was present. The
proceedings were very simple, but dignified and impressive. When the
oaths had been taken and subscribed to by the members of the
Commission, the presiding Justice made a few remarks in excellent
taste in which he assured the Military Government that the Supreme
Court stood solidly behind it in its efforts for the betterment of
conditions in Santo Domingo. This was a most gratifying public
announcement. After a short reply by myself, the assembly adjourned
to the room where the Commission is to sit and witnessed the
administration of the oath to the Secretary of the Commission and
the clerical force. Upon the conclusion of this part of the
proceedings, Mr. J. R. Edwards, President of the Commission, made a
short address to which I replied, which ended the ceremonies.
I am very glad to announce the beginning of the labors of the
Commission which are of the greatest importance for the welfare of
the country. I had hoped that the Commission might have started its
work sooner, but circumstances beyond my control have prevented its
inauguration before this time.
