738.39/278: Telegram
The Minister in Haiti (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:18 p.m.]
21. My telegram No. 10, January 10, 2 p.m. and my despatch No. 40 of January 17.20 The Minister for Foreign Affairs states that Trujillo has made a counterproposal which he has initialed. Léger said that the two Governments were in accord on the major points, Trujillo agreeing to a $750,000 indemnity or $250,000 cash down.
The Dominican Government wishes to include in the settlement a detailed arrangement regarding immigration. Léger feels that it is necessary to give a matter of this importance more consideration than permitted by the present negotiations for the Haitian-Dominican affair. Léger, however, is agreeable to statement of general principles [Page 195] with regard to immigration which the Haitian Government will gladly follow up shortly with a detailed agreement.
Léger also said that he and the President intended to stand firmly on the condition that whatever understanding resulted from the present informal negotiations now being carried on by the Nuncio (he is expected back today via Dominican military plane), it should be understood that the definite and final agreement would have to be arrived at in Washington and under the aegis of the Permanent Commission. Léger envisages that if the two Presidents come to an understanding, as he expects will be the case any day, this will be forwarded in draft form to the two delegations in Washington which will then submit the same to the Permanent Commission.
Léger also stated that the Dominican Minister of Foreign Affairs hopes to leave shortly for Washington to participate in the final negotiations. President Vincent suggested to Léger that he also go to Washington but Léger felt that he was more needed here to which the President agreed.
Repeated to Ciudad Trujillo.
- Despatch not printed.↩