File No. 838.15/40b
The Secretary of State to the Minister of Haiti
Washington, December 14, 1916.
Sir: With reference to your conversation at the Department this morning, in regard to the engineer officer to the Government of Haiti appointed under the terms of the treaty between the United States and Haiti, I have the honor to inform you that Civil Engineer Ernest E. Gayler, U. S. N., has been nominated by the President of the United States for appointment to this post.
I desire to advise you that Civil Engineer Gayler is not a line officer in the United States Navy but belongs to the engineering branch of the service. His detail as engineer adviser to the Government of Haiti may be considered as permanent, and it is understood that he will not be withdrawn by the Navy from this detail except in the case of some unforeseen emergency.
I therefore wish to request that you will communicate this fact to your Government at the earliest possible moment, in order that His Excellency, the President of Haiti, may appoint Civil Engineer Gayler, according to the terms of the treaty.
Accept [etc.]