[Enclosure]
Memorandum Report of Conference Between
Representatives of the United States Government and
Generalissimo Trujillo, June 21,
The conference took place at about 8:30 p.m. at the country
seat of Generalissimo Trujillo. There were present in
addition to the Generalissimo his Chief of Staff, General
Hector Trujillo, and Lt. Colonel McLaughlin of the Dominican
Army. Representing the United States were the Minister, Mr.
Robert McGregor Scotten, Colonel del Valle of the United
States Marine Corps, and Lt. Colonel Norman Randolph. It is
worthy of noting that the Generalissimo received the
representatives of the American Government at a time when he
was suffering obviously from a serious operation, and the
fact that he did receive us was in itself an indication of
his good will. The American Minister introduced the general
subject of the object of the Military Mission, and there
followed a general conversation in the course of which the
Generalissimo reiterated again and again that Santo Domingo
was 100% with the United States insofar as concerns the
necessary measures of hemisphere defense. He stated that
anything that we should desire in this connection was ours,
and even went so far as to emphasize that should it be
necessary the Dominicans were willing to spill their blood
in this cause. The Generalissimo showed active interest in
the strategical aspects of the various bays and harbors, and
the Members of the Mission indicated the possibility of
expanding the aviation field at Santo Domingo, lighting it
and adding radio direction control. In addition, it was
brought out that various auxiliary fields within the radius
of about fifty to sixty miles from the capital might be
desirable, and particularly the areas about Puerto Plata,
San Lorenzo (Samaná Bay) and Calderas Bay were mentioned.
Upon his own initiative the Generalissimo set forth the
desirability of the location situated on the bay south of La
Romana sugar estate (Saona) for a naval and air base
controlling the Mona Passage.
The impression gained by the Members of the Military Mission
and the Minister was that the Generalissimo spoke without
reservation of any sort, and that anything the United States
Government desires him to do he will carry out without
qualification.
The Minister and Members of the Military Mission noted that
the Generalissimo placed considerable emphasis upon the
location referred to above, Saona Bay, and feel that (from
political, if not military reasons, although the two may be
entirely compatible) attention should be given to carrying
out his wishes.
The interview was terminated at about 9:30 p.m.
