838.516/121a: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Haiti (Bailly-Blanchard)
44. Department’s telegram March 13, 5 p.m. You are directed to place before the President the following facts. Modifications of bank charter were fully discussed at Washington in presence of Féquière. The sole object in view was to secure modifications in the interest of the people of Haiti. National City Bank generously [Page 820] relinquished privileges of great value and the conclusions reached were agreed to by Minister Féquière as well as by this Government. The changes so proposed relieve Haiti of heavy burdens and any further attempt to postpone final approval will gravely endanger the entire situation and react most unfavorably on the interests of Haiti.
In view of these facts you are directed to say to the President that any further postponement of approval by the Government and ratification by the Council of State of the transfer of contract as modified and sale of bank will create a most unfavorable impression in Washington and cannot but create a feeling that this Government is not receiving the cooperation of the Government of Haiti in measures intended exclusively for the welfare of the people of that Republic. The modifications of the bank charter now proposed by the Haitian Government59 have been carefully considered by the Department and cannot be approved. The Department relies on the cooperation of the Government of Haiti in bringing about the contemplated important reforms and, in view of the urgency of the situation, expects a favorable reply not later than May 24.
- Received from the Haitian Legation May 5; not printed.↩