838.51/2322: Telegram
The Chargé in Haiti (McGurk) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 16—2:40 a.m.]
107. Legation’s 104, September 8, 11 a.m. Yesterday I discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs the various objections of Mr. Pixley to the Law of Ways and Means and the Law of Expenditures as passed by the recent Legislature and I asked him if the Government proposed to promulgate the laws as they stood. He said that he would give me an answer today. I saw the Minister again this morning and he said that the Government was compelled to promulgate the laws in their present form but that the President had sent for him this morning to discuss the budget and had told him that he would give assurances that any provisions in the laws contrary to the treaty and the accord would be set aside by mutual consent. The Minister also stated that the budget would be balanced.
I have discussed this with Mr. Pixley and he is of the opinion that many of his objections to the laws would be remedied if the Government would cooperate in interpreting the laws to conform as nearly as possible to the practice accepted in the past.
There is no question that the Government is determined to promulgate the laws in their present form despite any objections we might offer. I am therefore inclined to take the assurances given by the President provided they are satisfactory and in writing. Please instruct.
Financial Adviser’s objections to the financial laws going forward by airmail today.