Mr. Smythe to Mr. Gresham.
Port au Prince, March 4, 1895. (Received March 13.)
Sir: A delay in the mail’s departure affords me time to examine the memoranda supplied by the Dominican charge. The facts therein stated are substantially those communicated to me by the Dominican minister here, and which I received from other (unofficial) sources, and confirm my opinion that the situation did not justify a resort to extreme measures, [Page 242] and that the ultimatum was not seriously proclaimed, but intended only to expedite a settlement of pending questions.
An unimportant error in the cable correspondence assigns Mr. Pichon to command of the fleet. He is French minister here and was delegated by his Government to conduct negotiations. He was made acquainted very early with the status of affairs there as relating to the claims and rights of American citizens, and I think he has been most solicitous for a peaceful solution of the questions. I am sure that the Department may allay any anxiety that may be felt by Mr. Weed or other American citizens who may be interested by the assurance that there is nothing in the situation that threatens their interests, of which I gave the French minister (unofficially) due notice two months since. The demand for the summary execution of a criminal, as well as the similar apparent disregard of local laws in the case of the bank, it would seem, would scarcely be considered a satisfactory basis for so stern an ultimatum. My intention now is to go to Santo Domingo the 10th of April.
I am, etc.,