710 Conference (W & PW)/2–1745
The Ambassador in Haiti (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 20.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that on February 14th during a visit which I paid to the Haitian Minister for Foreign Affairs81 in order to say goodbye to him before his departure for Mexico City, I asked him whether the Haitian delegation expected to take any definite position with reference to any of the agenda of the Conference. M. Lescot replied that, with the exception of a Resolution which the Haitian delegation would submit to the Conference, it would do everything possible to strengthen the inter-American system of cooperation and to keep in especially close touch with its American colleagues. I took advantage of this opportunity to tell him that, while this cooperation would, of course, be very welcome, I felt that, should the Haitian delegation desire to enter into negotiations with their American colleagues on any special subject, it would be preferable that such negotiation should take place either through the Haitian Embassy at Washington or the American Embassy at Port-au-Prince. He appeared to assent to this view.
The Minister then showed me the draft of his delegation’s Resolution, which I was permitted to examine briefly. It consists of two subjects:—(1) that any American state should be prohibited to receive war criminals, and (2) providing punishment for the aggression of one American state against another. It is my recollection that, in case of an offense, the Advisory Committee for Political Defense at Montevideo would be authorized to consider the matter and warn the offender. Should the latter ignore the warning, the Committee would be further authorized to recommend, in the case of aggression, sanctions such as economic restrictions or possible military punishment by means of one or more states which might be designated to take this action. I informed the Minister that, in my opinion, the last named provision would give rise to much discussion and possibly opposition.
[Page 41]During the conversation reference was made to the possibility of using the Pan American Union as the medium for transmission of notifications to the other American Republics in the case of an act of aggression. I informed the Minister that, speaking personally and unofficially, I did not perceive any objection to this, as I felt that my Government would be glad to see any strengthening of the inter-American system either through the Pan American Union or the Conferences of Ministers for Foreign Affairs.
The Minister, accompanied by Messrs. Roy82 and Heurtelou,83 left Port-au-Prince during the evening of February 15th enroute for Mexico City.
Respectfully yours,