838.00/2185: Telegram
The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
2. President Borno verbally called my attention to the almost constant presence of American warships in Haitian waters, in Gonaives Bay particularly. Later he embodied his views in an official communication. The President believes that presence of these ships, even outside three-mile limit, is serving to strengthen the opposition here which is anti-Government and anti-American. The propaganda of that element is spreading rumor that secret treaty already exists under which the United States has obtained naval base in Haiti, and that the American authorities are merely taking advantage of rights conferred by this treaty. President Borno is not protesting, but he asks that consideration be given to delicacy of this situation in view of the coming elections. This request does not seem to me unreasonable, applying as it does only to period of a few months.