Mr. Smythe to Mr. Gresham.

No. 18.]

Sir: I received to-day your No. 17, of Santo Domingo series, transmitting a letter of Smith M. Weed, esq., president of the San Domingo Improvement Company, and also your No. 18, of same series, inclosing copy of note from the Dominican charge at Washington, giving a memorandum of circumstances which led to the rupture of diplomatic relations between France and Santo Domingo. I had unofficially notified the French minister here of the interests vested in American companies and individuals, and have recently received from him an informal assurance that the matters in controversy between his Government and Santo Domingo were in process of amicable settlement. Inasmuch as Mr. Pichon was charged with the negotiations, and is in position to know the conditions there, I feel sure that all danger of the execution of the ultimatum (which would have seriously affected American interests) is passed.

I have, etc.,

Henry M. Smythe
.