Office of the Historian

838.00 Elections/46: Telegram

The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Acting Secretary of State

Port-au-Prince, April 13, 1930—10 a.m.
[Received 5:10 p.m.]

64. This evening Georges Leger informed [me?] that Roy did not meet the Council of State this afternoon as planned, as he found that Thezan had also been invited. Thezan received an ovation and was practically proclaimed President. I at once called on President Borno who informed [me?] that he had seen the Council of State and that they are intractable. He then said that he could not adjourn the Council of State as his Cabinet is strongly opposed to such action. The members of his Cabinet were in the palace and I therefore requested that we all meet in conference to discuss the situation. President Borno agreed to this.

I pointed out to the Cabinet that the Haitian Government is committed to the plan and that it is possible for the latter to put it through within the limits of the Constitution. Furthermore that the United States Government expects the Haitian Government to do its part.

After much discussion and arguing it was agreed that the Council of State should be adjourned for eight days or until Monday, April 21st. That during that time steps should be taken by President Borno [Page 248] to assure the election of Roy when the Council meets as the National Assembly on April 21st.

April 13, 11 a.m. Council of State has been adjourned sine die.36

Russell

  1. Translation of decree adjourning the Council of State:

    “Borno, President of the Republic: Bearing in mind articles 50 and D of the Constitution;

    “Considering that a dangerous effervescence, created by blind passions and a complete ignorance of the necessities of the present situation, and of paramount and permanent interests of the Republic, have rendered indispensable to the public peace the adjournment of the Council of State in its present session;

    “Upon the advice of the Council of Secretaries of State

    “Decrees: Art. 1. The Council of State in its present session is adjourned.…”—Port-au-Prince Le Moniteur, April 13, 1930 (838.00 Elections/70).

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