838.00/2254

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

No. 825
(The High Commissioner’s Series)

Sir: In reply to the Department’s Instruction No. 304 of May 19, 1920 [1926], addressed to the American High Commissioner, inquiring on behalf of the Navy Department if the inhibition against the use of the waters adjacent to Haiti for the purposes of target practice and against the privilege of anchoring portions of the Fleet in Haitian waters is considered to be still existing, I have the honor to refer to [Page 398] the High Commissioner’s Despatch No. 813 of May 14, 1926,2 which of course was not received before the Department’s Instruction under acknowledgement was mailed.

In that despatch, General Russell reported as follows:

… I have the honor to inform the Department that in recent conversation with President Borno, he stated now that the elections were over, he had no objection, whatsoever, to the use of Gonaives Bay for target practice by the scouting fleet, or the use of that area for the anchorage of some of the combined fleet.

He remarked, however, that he expected that when shore leave was given to the crew to visit Haitian ports, that every precaution would be taken to guard against untoward incidents arising between the sailors and Haitians.

I have [etc.]

George R. Merrell, Jr.
  1. Not printed.