738.39/289
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Duggan)
[Washington,] January 18, 1938.
Mr. Philip informed me that there has been the following developments at the meeting at the Pan American Union held before the Permanent Commission of the Haitian-Dominican representatives on the Commission of Inquiry:
- 1)
- The Dominican delegation expressed its willingness to proceed with conciliation proceedings before the Permanent Commission.
- 2)
- The Permanent Commission thereupon suggested that the proper procedure seemed to be the election of the fifth member to the Commission of Inquiry;
- 3)
- The Dominican delegation then stated that it had instructions to endeavor to reach a solution through conciliation before proceeding to the selection of the fifth member of the Commission of Inquiry;
- 4)
- The Haitian delegation (M. Léger) then stated the procedure suggested by the Dominican delegation was agreeable to the Haitian delegation. (Afterwards M. Léger informed Mr. Philip that he had received a communication from President Vincent instructing him not to press for the nomination of the fifth member. President Vincent stated that what he desires is a solution and not a long drawn out proceeding through the Commission of Inquiry).
- 5)
- The Permanent Commission stated that if an agreement were reached through direct negotiations it should be submitted by the two delegations to the Permanent Commission.
- 6)
- It was agreed that the next meeting before the Permanent Commission should take place on January 31. This date was selected, since the Haitian delegation had instructions that President Vincent desired a period of seven to eight days in which to carry on his direct negotiations with the Dominican Government.
L[aurence] D[uggan]