838.51/3368: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Haiti (Finley)

24. Your 39, July 6, 11 a.m.

De la Rue communicated Eberstadt’s proposal to Duggan prior to sailing from New York.

The Government of the United States, which until a refunding of the 1922 loan is effected has certain financial obligations vis-à-vis the Haitian Government would appreciate being furnished, when available, with the complete details of this latest proposal. While the United States would as a friend feel constrained to lay certain observations [Page 548] before the Haitian Government if it believed the terms of the proposal unduly onerous, the ultimate decision as to acceptance or rejection is, of course, one which must be taken by the Haitian Government.

As the Haitian Government has been previously informed, this Government would, of course, be delighted if Haiti could obtain at this time a refunding loan on reasonable terms from responsible bankers which would retire the 1922 bonds and thus automatically abrogate the Protocol of 191936 and other existing financial agreements between the United States and Haiti. It cannot be overemphasized, however, that this Government is opposed to any proposal which either in fact or by implication might be construed as extending or prolonging the present responsibility of the United States as respects financial control or supervision in Haiti.

You are authorized in your discretion to bring the substance of the foregoing considerations to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. You should on that occasion inform him that while the Government is naturally anxious to proceed with the protocol at the earliest possible moment it is agreeable to a postponement of the conversations between Leger and de la Rue for the formulation of a concrete bank plan if such a postponement is desired by the Haitian Government.

Hull