838.00 Commission of Investigation/132, 144: Telegram

The Chairman of the President’s Commission (Forbes) to President Hoover

[Paraphrase]

5. In Commission’s telegram No. 1 of March 7 it was stated that the proposed agreement should be that the new President was to agree to call the election of the two chambers of the legislature “as soon as possible.” Conflicting interpretations have arisen over this phrase regarding the time, under the Constitution of Haiti, when legislative elections may be called. President Borno insists that such elections cannot be held before January 1932. On the other hand the opposition claims that they may be called on an earlier date. In such a situation the Commission should like to feel that the Government of the United States will recognize the definitive President if elected earlier than January 1932, and it strongly recommends that it be given this assurance in confidence.

[
Forbes
]