838.51/921

The French Ambassador ( Jusserand ) to the Secretary of State

[Translation79]

Mr. Secretary of State: The Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic at Port au Prince brings to my notice the predicament in which the French holders of bonds of the Haitian internal debt or of certificates of indebtedness of the Haitian Government are placed in the country to which he is accredited. On account of the high rate of exchange they hesitate to use in Haiti such funds as they may have in France, and on the other hand their bonds or certificates have lost their legitimate value with banks since they stopped bearing interest. That unsettled condition if prolonged is, according to what is written to me, apt to bring on a grave crisis and many financial breakdowns.

A statement drawn up by the parties in interest, an abstract of which is herein enclosed,80 recites the genesis of the Haitian internal debt.

I should be thankful to Your Excellency if you would kindly enable me to reassure my fellow countrymen as to the safe-keeping of their interests.

Be pleased [etc.]

Jusserand
  1. File translation revised.
  2. Not printed.