838.00 Elections/45: Telegram
The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 9:35 p.m.]
63. I have had another long conference with President Borno. He informed me that if Roy should not be elected on Monday he would change the members of the Council of State. I replied that now is the [Page 247] time to act and pointed out to him the many serious consequences of waiting until after the election. After much argument he requested that I inform him by letter advising him from reports I have received of the opinion that the Council of State will not elect Roy and that in view of Borno’s agreement to the plan I bring the matter to his attention. This I have done and it is the understanding that he will now take appropriate action to enforce Roy’s election. Borno stated, however, that if he were to adjourn the Council of State today it would be materially impossible for him to find by Monday next men representing the various counties [departments?] to replace members of Congress [Council?] dismissed and that the Council of State would have to be adjourned until a later date next week thus postponing the election. I pointed out to him that there is nothing in the Constitution precluding the replacing of Councilors of State by men from Port-au-Prince. This he refused to consider.