Office of the Historian

738.39/2–2345: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Haiti

confidential
Washington, February 23, 1949—7 p. m.

35. At session COAS Feb 23 Haitian representative recited in detail basis charges Dom Govt planning aggression. Cited Roland–Verbracken1 corres (obviously that seized his files Quito) and meeting Paulino2 NY discuss agression. Presented no conclusive evidence.

Dom representative denied categorically material presented by Charles established proof Dom aggression planned and asserted Dom Govt not involved in any aggressive plans. Denied applicability Rio Treaty and hence competence Council consider Haitian charges. Asserted Dom Govt ready discuss matter directly with Haitian Govt or seek good offices Inter-American Committee Methods Peaceful Solution Conflicts (Res XIV, Habana 19403), and this communicated Feb 22 in note to Haitian Govt. Charged Haitian Govt with previous complicity revoluntary activities against Dom Rep as cited Louis Bordas statements Puerto Rico press approximately year ago that Cayo Confites expedition failed because Haiti betrayed it after promising help. Also asserted during very period of corres cited by Charles allegedly showing Dom Govt aggressive intention Dom Govt endeavoring conclude bilateral agreement Haiti whereby both countries would suppress revolutionary activity within their respective borders directed against the other.

Charles asserted Haitian Govt had promptly denied Bordas’ story for reason Govt never involved Cayo Confites plot. Also said Haitian Govt had good reason refusing sign aforementioned bilateral agreement.

Chairman Council authorized appoint Committee4 to draft resolution for consideration by Council next meeting. Consensus Council’s [Page 442] views appeared Haitian case not within terms Rio Treaty and therefore convocation Organ of Consultation not appropriate.

Repeated Ciudad Trujillo.

Acheson
  1. Joanna (or Jeanine) Verbraeken, alleged to have been involved in 1948 in a plot to assassinate President Estimé of Haiti, later turned informer for the Haitian Government. Considerable material on Colonel Roland’s activities is contained in decimal file 838.00.↩
  2. Lt. Gen. Anselmo Paulino Alvarez, Dominican Minister Without Portfolio.↩
  3. The text of Resolution XIV of the Second Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics, July 21–30, 1940, is in Department of State Bulletin, August 24, 1949, p. 136.↩
  4. The five-member committee was composed of the representatives of Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua, the United States, and Uruguay.↩