Despite all biased utterances the Intervention of the United States has been beneficial to Haiti:-history will so record. I renew to you the assurance of my special friendship and my very high consideration. BORNO 838.00/2810: Telegram The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, May 9, 1930—11 a. m. [Received 6:33 p. m.] 84. At the request of the President-elect, Eugène Roy, I called on him yesterday. He stated that he desired to know the attitude of the United States on certain matters relative to Haitian affairs. Specifically he stated that he was being urged to dissolve the Council of State as soon as he took office and to legislate by decrees. I replied that article D of the treaty provisions of the Constitution vested the legislative in the Council of State until the constitution of the legislative body at which time the Council of State would cease to exist. He replied that he was glad to hear me make such a statement as he had not wanted to take the action urged upon him. Mr. Roy then said that on May 15 he would [have?] to take an oath to uphold the Constitution and there was a question in his mind as to whether he could take such an oath and then call legislative elections before 1931. I replied to him along the lines indicated in the Department's telegram number 3 to the President's Commission, March 14th. Mr. Roy expressed satisfaction at the attitude of the United States Government and said that he will consider further before deciding upon a date for the elections. RUSSELL 838.001 Roy, Eugene/7: Telegram The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, May 15, 1930-noon. [Received May 16-5:42 a. m.] 86. Eugène Roy inaugurated as President of Haiti at 8:30 this morning. Took oath provided for in Constitution. President Borno formally turned over administration to Roy at 10:15 a. m. after a brief mass at the cathedral. Large and enthusiastic crowd in the streets near the palace. No untoward incidents. New Cabinet as follows: Frederic Bernardin, Foreign Relations; Frank Roy, Finance; Rodolphe Barau, Interior and Justice; Ernest Douyon, Public Works; Damocles Vieux, Education. RUSSELL 838.001 B64/17: Telegram The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, May 23, 1930-1 p. m. [Received 9:40 p. m.] 90. Ex-President Borno and his son left by plane this noon for Camaguey proceeding thence tomorrow to Habana. If unable to take ship within a few days for France or Italy he will proceed to Europe via the United States. RUSSELL 838.00 Elections/84 : Telegram The Chargé in Haiti (Grummon) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, June 4, 1930—10 a. m. [Received 2:40 p. m.] 95. President Roy has announced in a press interview published in the Nouvelliste that the reconstitution of the legislative chambers will take place in October; that until that time the Council of State will be maintained and that modifications in the present electoral law will be made early in July. GRUMMON 838.61/128: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Haiti (Grummon) WASHINGTON, June 27, 1930-5 p. m. 67. Your 121, June 26, 10 a. m.37 Please make it very clear to President Roy and if necessary to the members of his Cabinet that this Government feels that there should be no changes in the organization or operations of the treaty services during the term of the temporary government in Haiti. The temporary government was established for the sole purpose of holding congressional elections and preparing the way for a new permanent government. When the latter is installed the Department will be glad to consider and discuss with it such changes in the work of the treaty services as may in the opinion of the two governments seem advisable. 87 Not printed. STIMSON 838.51A/1778: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Haiti (Grummon) WASHINGTON, July 1, 1930-1 p. m. 72. For the Legation's information and for such publicity as you may deem advisable, you are informed that General Russell has been granted leave of absence, at the expiration of which (about September 1) he will return to Haiti and will remain there until the inauguration of the new President, at which time the new Minister will assume charge of the Legation and General Russell will return to the United States.38 For your information and that of the President, you are advised that the Department has granted the Financial Adviser leave commencing July 5th. He will return to his post shortly after the middle of August. STIMSON 838.00/2849: Telegram The Chargé in Haiti (Grummon) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 11, 1930-10 a. m. [Received 2:28 p. m.] 141. Presidential decree published in this morning's press calls for legislative elections on the 14th of October. Full text of decree will go forward by air mail.39 GRUMMON 838.011/104: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Haiti (Grummon) WASHINGTON, July 11, 1930-7 p. m. 40 79. Your 139, July 9, noon, and previous correspondence. Please say to President Roy with reference to his inquiry regarding the amendment of Article 128 of the Constitution that as has been stated heretofore it is the Department's understanding that the present temporary Government is to devote its principal efforts to the passage of an electoral law and the holding of elections; that the present measure, which does not seem to be related to the electoral processes, is * See pp. 255 ff. 39 Transmitted in despatch No. 1230, July 11, 1930; not printed. The decree of July 9, 1930, was published in Le Moniteur, Port-au-Prince, July 10, 1930 (838.00 Elections/89). 40 Not printed. not essential to the conduct of the elections and on the contrary is likely to introduce into the situation unnecessary discussions and considerations and therefore should not be taken up before the inauguration of the next Government. STIMSON 838.011/107: Telegram The Chargé in Haiti (Grummon) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 12, 1930—1 p. m. [Received 10:29 p. m.] 146. President Roy acquiesces in the attitude expressed in the Department's telegram 79, July 11, 7 p. m. He stated that the object of the proposed amendment was to provide a means for the new permanent government to reorganize the Haitian judiciary system before the 2 years' constitutional period. GRUMMON 838.00 Elections/101: Telegram The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Secretary of State 220. Incomplete election returns indicate almost a clean sweep by the Cartelistes or radical group largely controlled by Jolibois. This result came as a great surprise to the mulatto Elite who are much disturbed. Reliably informed that the Cartelistes state they will drive out of Haiti all those connected with the Borno administration. RUSSELL 838.032/103 Telegram The High Commissioner in Haiti (Russell) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, November 8, 1930-10 a. m. [Received 3 p. m.] Decree convoking 226. Department's 127, November 7, 6 p. m.11 legislative bodies in extraordinary session on November 10th, next, has been promulgated. Legislature will assemble on the 10th and organize. When organized, both bodies will report to President Roy who will then call them to meet as National Assembly. It will take about a week to organize, including the examination of credentials. 41 Not printed. RUSSELL 838.001 Roy, Eugene/20: Telegram The Minister in Haiti (Munro) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, November 17, 1930-1 p. m. [Received 4: 23 p. m.] 235. National Assembly met today and received the resignation of President Roy. Session closed with no action on the election of a successor, postponed until tomorrow. 838.001 Vincent, Stenio/1: Telegram MUNRO The Minister in Haiti (Munro) to the Secretary of State PORT-AU-PRINCE, November 18, 1930-4 p. m. [Received 9:12 p. m.] 237. Stenio Vincent was elected President this afternoon on the fourth ballot and took the oath of office at once. MUNRO ASSUMPTION BY THE MINISTER IN HAITI OF FUNCTIONS PREVIOUSLY EXERCISED BY THE AMERICAN HIGH COMMISSIONER 42 123M92/93a The Secretary of State to the Appointed Minister in Haiti (Munro) WASHINGTON, October 18, 1930. SIR: Upon your arrival at Port au Prince you will assume the functions hitherto exercised by the American High Commissioner, both with respect to the conduct of diplomatic relations between this Government and the Government of Haiti, and also with respect to the supervision of the activities of other American officials in Haiti. You will represent the President of the United States in Haiti in the same manner as did the High Commissioner, for the purpose of directing, coordinating, and reporting upon the work of the Financial AdviserGeneral Receiver, the officers commanding the Garde d'Haiti, and all other officers nominated by the President of the United States in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of September 16, 1915.44 12 In accordance with the recommendations of the President's Commission for the Study and Review of Conditions in the Republic of Haiti (see pp. 217 ff.), a Minister Plenipotentiary was appointed to assume the functions hitherto discharged by the American High Commissioner in Haiti. Mr. Dana G. Munro presented his credentials on November 16, 1930 (123M92/89, 98e, 100). "See "Appointment of a High Commissioner by President Harding," Foreign Relations, 1922, vol. 1, p. 461. "For text of treaty, see ibid., 1916, p. 328; for text of additional act extending the duration of the treaty, see ibid.. 1917, p. 807. |