738.3915/421: Telegram

The Minister in Haiti (Munro) to the Secretary of State

[45.] The President has informed the Commandant of the Garde of the receipt of a very strong note from the Dominican Government demanding the immediate withdrawal of Haitian Garde patrols from the southern frontier region between Fonds-Verrettes and Bananodu [Banane?] and stating that orders have been given to the Dominican army to clear the region of foreign troops. A small force of Gardes has patrolled the border recently because of constant complaints that Dominican forces were crossing the frontier and mistreating Haitians on this side of the lines. While the extent which each government should occupy in this region is a matter primarily for discussion between them it is extremely important that the Dominican Government should not attempt any attack on the Garde which would necessarily involve us. I urgently recommend that the Dominican Government be warned to avoid any such action.

Repeated to Santo Domingo.

Munro