Office of the Historian

File No. 439.00/27

The Minister in the Dominican Republic ( Russell) to the Secretary of State

No. 306
Santo Domingo, March 4, 1918.

Sir: In reference to my No. 289 of January 29, enclosing copies and translations of the report of the Dominican Claims Commission of 1917 to the Military Government with recommendations as to the manner of liquidating the awards, I now have the honor to call to the Department’s attention again this important matter.

I am decidedly of the opinion that the commission’s recommendations should be approved at once, or at least in so far as concerns the unpaid back salaries, etc., which have not passed from the hands [Page 374] of the original holders who rendered the services. We can not allow the people of this country to believe that this commission is not going to afford relief to just claimants who have so long been defrauded of their dues.

The payment of these particular claims will cause an excellent impression in this country and undoubtedly add to our prestige.

The Military Government has on hand at present a cash balance of about $2,000,000, and it certainly seems no more than just that from this sum an amount should be set aside for the purpose above mentioned.

The issuance of bonds to the amount of $5,000,000 for the payment of the additional awards of the commission is a matter that should receive immediate serious attention after the payment of the preferred salary claims above mentioned has been assured.

I have [etc.]

William W. Russell

The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy ( Daniels)

Washington, March 25, 1918.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of a despatch from the American Minister at Santo Domingo City in which he refers to the recommendations made by the Dominican Claims Commission of 1917 to the Military Government of the Dominican Republic as to the method of liquidating the awards of the commission. The Minister states that he is strongly of opinion that the recommendations of the commission should be immediately approved, at least so far as concerns the unpaid back salaries of Dominican officials where that debt has not passed from the hands of the original holders who rendered the services.

I share the views expressed by the Minister as to the advisability of the payment of the awards and would be glad to be informed as to the steps taken or contemplated by the Military Government in this respect.

I have [etc.]

Robert Lansing