838.5045/16: Telegram

The High Commissioner in Haiti ( Russell ) to the Secretary of State

102. All quiet. Reports from Cape Haitien that the declaration of the Department regarding President Borno’s not being a candidate for the Presidency18 had a most telling effect on the situation in the North. The garde commander of the North reports that he is of the conviction that it has averted bloodshed. Telephone communication has been restored. Endeavoring to have a few prominent Haitians of Aux Cayes who have influence with the country people go out into the country with a view to quieting them. A majority of the third and fourth year medical students have expressed a desire to return to the school today but they still fear to do so on account of threats of violence from other students. The Public Health Officer is hopeful by the end of this week of being able to obtain a majority of the students at the school. Many school children at Cape Haitien returned to school except the Service Technique School. I am using every endeavor to place the Service Technique educational system again in operation.

Rumors of the importation of arms and ammunition and steps have been taken to prevent the same. American women and children from Aux Cayes and Jeremie have arrived at Port-au-Prince. The Collector of Customs Saint Marc reports that agitators from Port-au-Prince and Jacmel were responsible for stirring up the country [Page 198] people and that it is perfectly clear that this was a planned affair, not only planned, but directed.

Agitators have been working in the Cul-de-Sac19 endeavoring to stir up the people against the Government for the imposition of the alcohol and tobacco taxes. The situation in that section is being carefully watched.

Russell
  1. See telegram No. 58, December 2, 7 p.m., to the High Commissioner in Haiti, p. 174.
  2. The Cul-de-Sac Plain.