839.00/2270a suppl.: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in the Dominican Republic (Russell)
43. Department’s December 4, 2 p.m.
In the communications addressed by the Department to the Secretary of the Navy for the instruction of the Military Governor,17 it was suggested that the Commission of Dominican citizens to be appointed referred to in the Proclamation, be composed of the members of the former Senate. In order that no misunderstanding may arise, the Department desires it understood that it is not insistent that this suggestion be complied with and that it realizes that the members of the Senate, while in a sense representative of public opinion in Santo Domingo, may not have the necessary qualifications to become members of the Commission.
While no decision has yet been reached, the Department believes that the Commission might well be composed of nine members and that Monseigneur Nouel, Dr. Francisco Peynado, Jacinto de Castro and Federico Velasquez might well be appointed members of it. It is further believed that two Senators in addition to Jacinto de Castro might be appointed with different political affiliations. The Department will be glad to receive your recommendations by cable as to the additional members to be appointed as well as any suggestions which you may desire to make regarding the constitution of the Commission. The Department would likewise be glad of any recommendation which you may care to make in connection with the appointment of the Technical Adviser to the Commission.
It is desired that you keep the Department closely informed of all developments in connection with the issuance of the Proclamation, in particular reporting fully upon the effect on public opinion caused by the Proclamation and any press comments thereon of importance.
- Not printed.↩