Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The American Republics, Volume VIII

839.00/9–147: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Dominican Republic (Butler) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Ciudad Trujillo, September 1, 1947—3 p.m.

241. ReEmbtel 238 and 240.⁵¹ Following comment is made with reference to Dominican note regarding revolutionary force reported to be preparing attack against Dominican Republic from Cuban territory.

1. Dominican note, with one exception mentioned in subsequent paragraph, appears to be technically in accord with provisions of 1928 Habana Convention on rights and duties of states in the event of civil strife, and Resolution 6 of second consultative meeting American Foreign Ministers at Habana in 1940.

2. Since US is party to Habana Convention and Resolution 6 and since Dominican note twice refers to possible involvement of US citizens or officials, we have a special interest in the case.

3. Dominican intention to request inter-American investigation of activities in Cuba does not appear to be contemplated under provisions of Resolution 6. Article 1 provides that state directly interested may request inter-American consultation. This seems to be quite distinct from a specific investigation of activities in only one country.

4. Dominican request for strictly confidential exchange of information probably is legally in accord with Article 3 of Resolution 6, although the exchange of information referred to in Article 2 is a part of consultation which has not yet been requested or initiated.

5. When a similar state of tension existed between Venezuela and the Dominican Republic a few months ago, with the latter country apparently in the position it now charges that Cuba occupies, I recommended inter-American consultation. I repeated that recommendation recently in connection with the present Cuba case. I still am of the opinion that inter-American consultation on friction in the Caribbean area is necessary and desirable. The present revolutionary activity in Cuba is a symptom of a basic trouble. A limited investigation of one symptom does not seem fair or constructive. A full and impartial consultation regarding basic causes for friction among Caribbean countries would be difficult and unpleasant but it might lead to at least a partial remedy. As long as internal political situations in many countries are such that political exiles must plot from abroad, there probably will be a continuation of these difficulties. I believe that the US should assume leadership in an effort to assure wider and more genuine observance of the democratic processes which in theory are the basis of the inter-American system.

6. Finally, this Embassy is convinced on the basis of information available, and I believe Embassy Habana concurs, that revolutionary movement is primarily one of Dominicans opposed to Trujillo’s dictatorship and is not one directed by Communists either foreign or Dominican.

Butler

51. Neither printed. Reference is made to notes presented by the Acting Dominican Minister for Foreign Affairs on August 30 (not printed), to the Chiefs of Mission of the other American Republics requesting any information that they might have concerning Dominican revolutionary activities in their respective territories.