File No. 839.00/1134.
Minister Sullivan to the Secretary of State.
Santo Domingo, April 2, 1914, 10 p.m.
Provisional Government has requested me to transmit following message:
President Bordas respectfully begs to inform President Wilson that fighting began yesterday between the Government forces and those of General Arias who is resisting substitution of governors hostile to the smuggling interests in lieu of Arias governors. My Government can control the situation if it can obtain the necessary funds. Otherwise state of anarchy likely to ensue. I appeal to the high sense of justice of the American Government to consider our situation.
Provisional Government is about to ask Congress to suspend constitutional guaranties but believe Congress will refuse.
Bordas leaves here to-morrow with troops to take the field in person against Arias rebellion.