711.38/296: Telegram
The Minister in Haiti (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:20 p.m.]
38. My number 37, March 23, 11 p.m. In further explanation of the Haitian Government’s ideas both the “necessary protective works” and the “air base” in the region of Gonaives would be as much or as little as we desired. The main thing apparently is that the Haitian Government desires American naval or military establishment of some sort in the country. This would complement and give added strength and emphasis to the virtual naval base which we now have at Gonaives by virtue of the arrangement whereby we simply notify time of the arrival of warships, rather than ask permission for their presence in Haitian waters. My own idea would be that these “necessary protective works” and the “air base” should be initiated on a small scale, capable of whatever development experience or international politics might indicate.