File No. 839.00/1404.
Chargé White to the Secretary of State.
Santo Domingo, July 14, 1914, 4 p.m.
Dominican Government summoned me this morning to state that the revolutionists are also in possession of Jaina. Dominican Government stated that its national line of defense in extremities was city walls but that in view of safety of suburban foreign population it desired to confer with me re restriction of area. I had told them that without instructions I did not propose to submit matter to action Diplomatic Corps. I advised them that Castine would permit no firing by Government or revolutionary forces within the limits of the city and that should they be unable to stave off rebels unaided they had better request good offices of American Government for the solution of whole question. Dominican Government replied that they would rather resign than do this but were willing to ask assistance from Washington for overcoming rebels and were also agreeable to establishment of neutral zone, quoting Puerto Plata as a precedent. Pending instructions from Washington Castine will enforce neutral zone but I would respectfully suggest to Department that the situation lends itself to comprehensive treatment. Savinon has postponed trip to Puerto Plata. Another war vessel and particularly marines would be appreciated.