838.00 Elections/29: Telegram
The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 5:11 p.m.]
57. Rumors from many sources are current that the Council of State will not elect Roy on Monday, next, and it may elect Nemours. During the last few days I have had Roy get in touch with members of the Council of State and he has had an agreeable talk with Robin[son], the president of that [body?]. Nemours has assured me that he will vote for Roy. I have the assurance from Roy that he will not dismiss the Council of State during its present session. I am now suggesting his assuring me that the call for congressional elections will not be made while the Council of State is in its present session.
President Borno informs me that he is not at all satisfied with the attitude of the Council of State. Last Monday he had the entire Council of State at the palace, explained the plan in detail and urged them to vote for it. He then asked Nemours for his reaction to the plan. Nemours replied that he was a soldier and would do what he thought was his duty. Robin[son] when questioned by Borno intimated that he would vote against Roy, although Borno has always considered he would follow Borno’s advice.
President Borno then said that he is absolutely decided to put through the plan. If the Council of State fails to meet, two courses of action will be open to him: (a) To resign and dismiss the Council of State; (b) to adjourn the Council of State and dismiss certain members replacing them by men who would vote for Roy.
[Page 244]The second course of action will be the one he will follow should occasion arise.
This morning Georges Leger called on me and asked if it would be possible for the United States Government to announce that it would not recognize any other election than that of Roy. I replied that I did not believe it possible. In my talks with members of the Council of State, however, I have conveyed the impression that it was very doubtful if any other candidate would be recognized. I would appreciate the Department’s views in the event of the Council of State electing a President other than Roy.
At the present time fifteen members of the Council of State are in secret session.