738.3915/229
The High Commissioner in Haiti ( J. H. Russell ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 19.]
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 67 of September 20th, 1922, relating to the Haitian-Dominican boundary question, I have the honor to forward herewith copy and translation of a note recently received from the Minister of Foreign Relations.72
It appears to be a fact that the territory directly east of the Pedernales River is and has for some time been occupied by Haitians. The President informs me that the Moya map of the Dominican Republic, which was adopted by the Dominican Congress and published in 1905, shows this territory as Haitian, the boundary line running well to the east of the Pedernales River, and not following the river as it does on the United States Army Military Information map, 1907.
With the Military Occupation of the Dominican Republic, this question became more or less disputed for the reason that taxes were levied by the Military Government on the natives living in the section just east of the Pedernales River, a coffee growing section.
President Borno informs me that there has never been any question between the Dominican and Haitian Republics regarding this territory until the Status Quo line was defined by the United States Government in 1912. Certainly the Moya map of 1905 bears out this contention.
I have informed the Haitian Government that this matter has been referred to the Department of State.
In this connection, I desire again to point out to the Department the advisability of establishing a border patrol under the Dominican Receiver of Customs before the withdrawal of United States military forces from the Dominican Republic.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩