738.39/256: Telegram
The Minister in Haiti (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:05 p.m.]
5. Department’s No. 3, January 7, 7 p.m.8 and my telephone conversation of this morning with Duggan.9 I tried another approach in this matter and discussed it with the Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alfred, who is considered to be very close to the President. I described to him, as I have a number of times told the President, the dangers inherent in direct negotiations or any form of direct discussion prior to the completion of the inter-American treaty procedure by the establishment of the ad hoc commission.
After much circumlocution Alfred finally admitted that the Haitian delegation was “discussing” but not “negotiating” with Troncoso de la Concha; that this had been initiated by the latter who had suggested the desirability of learning what the Haitian Government had in mind for a settlement of the dispute; that the Haitian Government did not consider this as direct negotiation and would not consider any solution which was not under the aegis of the inter-American treaties. Alfred said, however, that they were anxious for a rapid and final settlement and showed clearly as I have previously reported the wish of the Haitian Government to take advantage of the conciliation function of the Permanent Commission to try to have the dispute settled immediately. Alfred expanded at some length on the fact that in accordance with the modern attitude Haiti could not expect any “forceful” protection in the event of difficulties with Santo Domingo but must rely on moral pressure which he did not seem to consider very effective.
[Page 181]I indicated clearly to Alfred that the conversations which he admitted were taking place were of course negotiations and that there could not be any distinction of this character. I concluded by again stressing the setting up of the commission ad hoc before any discussion, conversation or whatnot took place between the Haitian and Dominican representatives …