839.51/2166

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

Op–13
16870–315:11

Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith a communication from the Military Governor of Santo Domingo,30 requesting the consent of the United States Government to increase the public debt of the Dominican Republic in the amount of ten million dollars pursuant to the provisions of the American-Dominican Convention of 1907 providing for the assistance of the United States in the collection and application of the customs revenues of the Dominican Republic, under date of February 8, 1907.31

The Navy Department recommends the approval of this request, as it is considered that the public works which have been started by the Military Government as essential to the commercial and educational development of the Dominican Republic, should be continued as projected in the interests of the people of Dominica irrespective of any arrangements that may be made as to the future administration of the government of that Republic. It is, of course, assumed that the United States will continue such control of the financial administration of the Dominican Republic as will insure that the proceeds of the proposed loan will be properly applied to the public works projected and also to provide for the payment of the interest and principal of the proposed bond issue.

Yours truly,

Josephus Daniels