838.51/3495: Telegram

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

130. The Department’s 64, November 27, 3 p.m.47 Pixley has just learned from Leger that the letter of November 18 has arrived; that since receiving the letter Leger feels that “it is practically certain” that the loan will be worked out and that he is leaving by plane tomorrow night for New York en route to France. Leger has not as yet informed me of the arrival of the letter as he said he would do.

If Leger calls me over and discusses the matter, I feel it is only fair to give him the information contained in the Department’s 64, November [Page 559] 27, 3 p.m., in an effort to assist him in every proper way to an understanding of the situation before he takes the final step of leaving Haiti for France. On the other hand from what I now know I am inclined not to volunteer this further information. It seems to me that to do so might only be interpreted by Leger as an effort to block a loan which he appears to believe in his pocket, especially since similar accommodation has not been made to Haiti in the United States. I am all the more of this view because the Department and De la Rue will perhaps have even more definite information by the time Leger should reach the United States and they could then go into the matter with him if they so desired.

Would appreciate telephonic instructions if the Department desires me to act otherwise.

Mayer
  1. Not printed; it repeated telegram No. 1666, November 26, 4 p.m., from the Ambassador in France which reported further inquiries at the Foreign Office and Paris branch of Barclay’s Bank, both of which disclaimed any knowledge of the proposed Haitian loan (838.51/3491).