838.51/1176: Telegram

The Chargé in Haiti ( Jordan ) to the Secretary of State

87. Department’s 60, November 14, 6 p.m., and 61, November 18, 6 p.m. Instructions complied with. In company with Mr. Maumus I called on the President this morning delivering to him the note containing the Lee, Higginson offer and an informal memorandum in answer to the memorandum of Haitian Government outlined in my 76 of November 10, 11 a.m. At the same time I informed the President that the Department had expressed a desire to have an early decision in the matter. The President stated that it would be given immediate decision without discussion, reply sent during this week. He stated also the representatives of neutral countries had expressed a desire to be represented on the Claims Commission40 in the same manner as the French and English are supposed to be represented. He thought that this would be cumbersome and also unjust to Haiti as these countries expected their representatives and expenses to be paid by the Haitian Government which arrangement would be an unjust burden on the depleted Treasury of the Government. He stated that he had replied to these people that they should address themselves to the United States Government regarding this matter. He seemed to be in a very receptive mood and apparently has waived the question of prescription of the protocol.

Jordan
  1. For papers relating to this subject, see pp. 224 ff.