Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The United Nations; The Western Hemisphere, Volume II

713.00/4–1750

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Middle American Affairs (Mann)

confidential

[ Washington ,] April 17, 1950.

Subject: Caribbean Situation

Participants:	Ambassador Robert Butler
	MID—Mr. Mann
	Mr. Price1
	Mr. Desvernine

The Ambassador stated that immediately prior to his departure from Habana he had received a telegraphic communication from Ciudad Trujillo informing him that the Dominican Government was willing to accept the return of the Angelita ² and to waive any further claims for reparations. The Ambassador had previously received the consent of President Prío to return the vessel in the same condition in which it was at the time it was captured, provided the Dominican Government waived further claims,³ The Ambassador added that he had agreed with President Prío to follow through in this matter and that he proposed to make certain suggestions to President Prío regarding the type of statement which might be released at the time the transaction is consummated; The Ambassador felt that Prío should be permitted to derive maximum credit from this operation but agreed that any statement to be made should be cleared previously with the Dominicans in order not to jeopardize the very purpose which is sought by this transaction. The Ambassador further agreed that, since the question of the Angelita has been the subject of specific recommendations by the COAS, the latter would have to be tied into any statement or publicity which might be given to this matter.

Regarding Haitian-Dominican relations, the Ambassador said that he would stay clear of this matter and leave it in the hands of our representative missions in those countries, but he expressed the view that he would have been able to work out a satisfactory settlement through the Haitian and Dominican representatives in Habana.⁴ Mr. Mann remarked that the Haitian Foreign Minister, who was recently in Washington, had not seemed disposed to act promptly in working out an arrangement with the Dominican Republic along the lines contemplated in the suggestion advanced by Ambassador Butler.⁵ Mr. Mann felt, however, that within a reasonable period of time these matters would be satisfactorily worked out.⁶

The Ambassador stated that he was strongly in favor of an anti-Communist declaration which would help to bring these countries together by providing a common meeting ground. He elaborated on this suggestion further by explaining that what he had in mind was a declaration worded in general terms to be subscribed not only by the countries in the Caribbean but by all the American republics, including the United States. He added that President Prío could take the initiative in proposing this and that this initiative would assist Prío’s Government very considerably in strengthening its position at home with particular reference to the current political campaign. The Ambassador requested that his suggestion be given prompt and careful consideration in the Department. Mr. Mann stated that there would necessarily be many angles to be considered and various offices in the Department would have to be consulted. He promised, however, the matter would be taken up without delay with a view to determining our position.

Referring to the current political campaign in Cuba and in particular to the campaign for mayor of Habana, the Ambassador emphasized that the interests of this Government lay in a victory of the Government Party. He said that a hard blow would be dealt to the Prío Government and indirectly to us if the opposition group, which includes the Communists, should win on June 1. He said he had told President Prío of his feelings in the matter and had made some suggestions to him with regard to the campaign. Mr. Mann stressed the importance of non-intervention in internal Cuban politics and remarked that the greatest disservice that Ambassador Butler could render to President Prío would be for the opposition to accuse the American Ambassador of intermeddling in Cuban politics. Ambassador Butler agreed that this was so and said he was careful to avoid any such contingency but that the opposition of course knew that he was friendly to Prío.

1. Leonard H. Price, Officer in Charge of Caribbean Affairs.
2. The Angelita was a Dominican motor schooner seized by revolutionary elements during the Cayo Confites controversy between Cuba and the Dominican Republic in 1947. For documentation, see Foreign Relations, 1947, vol. viii, pp. 629 ff.
3. In despatch No. 1464, June 28, 1950, from Habana, Ambassador Butler reported that the two countries had agreed that the Angelita would be returned to the Dominican Republic and that the latter would drop all reparations claims arising from her seizure. (637.39/6–2850)
4. Jean Jacques Mauclair Zephirin and Felix W. Bernadino.
5. In a telephone conversation with Mr. Desvernine on April 12, 1950, memorandum not printed, Ambassador Butler had stated that he had reason to believe that the Dominican Government was willing to settle certain outstanding differences with Haiti in favor of the latter provided Haiti agreed to an exchange of Ambassadors and an anti-Communist pact. (637.39/4–1250)
6. In telegram 14, July 17, from Ciudad Trujillo, Ambassador Ackerman reported that Jose Enrique Aybar had been named Dominican Ambassador to Haiti. (601.3938/7–4750) The Ambassador stated in telegram 20, July 27, that the Dominican Government had given its agrément to Théophile Richard as Haitian Ambassador (601.3839/7–2750).