738.3915/243: Telegram

The High Commissioner in Haiti (J. H. Russell) to the Secretary of State

90. Department’s 68, June 25, 11 a.m. President Borno in an informal discussion states that he is strongly opposed to any action [Page 361] by the Dominican Provisional Government toward the permanent settlement of the boundary question.

In support of his contention he stated that the Provisional Government was formed by various Dominican political groups for a specific purpose and that no authority was given it to negotiate for the settlement of the boundary. I replied that the groups he mentioned covered all political parties and it might appear that the action of the Provisional Government would receive the backing of all parties whereas the Constitutional Government would have only one party backing it. The President answered that since the Provisional Government was not authorized by the political group forming it to consider this question it had no authority to take such action.

Russell