839.51/4610: Telegram
The Chargé in the Dominican Republic (Hinkle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:10 p.m.]
31. The President called me to the Foreign Office today where the Dominican Foreign Secretary read a despatch just received from Minister Pastoriza giving Secretary Hull’s suggestion that both notes6 be withdrawn.
The President said that he was entirely agreeable to this provided that informal conversations could be held in Washington with some assurances of success. He felt that exchanges of notes would not achieve results and that the note mentioned in my telegram No. 30, June 2, 10 a.m.7 would not be submitted. He could, however, send the Dominican Foreign Secretary as special envoy but did not wish to do so without at least some general idea of what at present would be acceptable to our Government and requested the Legation to secure if possible some such expression.
The President said he understood both countries were desirous of a revised convention and reiterated the modifications suggested by the Minister contained in my telegram 30, June 2, 10 a.m., adding that the Dominicans would be glad to consider any other modification which might reasonably protect the bondholders without infringing on Dominican sovereignity.
The President said that he would like to reach an agreement before retiring from the Presidency in August and intimated that failing this he might have to consider publishing the notes to show that he had at least tried his best. Failing informal discussions the Foreign Minister thought the only other recourse would be to submit the Dominican contentions to arbitration.
[Page 497]The President in concluding emphasized his country’s obligations towards the convention and stated that any idea of unilateral action was unthought of.
- A note dated May 4 was delivered to the Department by the Dominican Minister on May 10. A reply was handed to the Dominican Minister by the Secretary of State on May 19. These notes together with a second note of June 21 from the Dominican Minister were withdrawn on July 7. (839.51/4607, 4612½)↩
- Not printed.↩