838.51/4136: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Haiti (Sparks)
24. Your 10, January 27, 11 a.m. and your letter to Finley, January 24.8 The Department has not been kept informed in detail by your Legation, the Fiscal Representative, or the Haitian Government, regarding the negotiations which have been proceeding with the Foreign Bondholders Council for the desired reduction in interest rate on Haitian bonds. In particular it has not been informed what further steps may have been taken by the Haitian Government, by the Fiscal Representative, or both, since the Council suggested that it was willing to agree to a reduction from 6 percent to 4½ percent.
The Fiscal Representative is aware that the Department has indicated that it believes a reduction from 6 percent to 4 percent reasonable and that he or the Haitian Government, or both, should carry on the necessary negotiations with the Council. If these have not been pursued, the Department is unable to understand the reason for the delay and suggests that negotiations be continued. Until it is informed that a stalemate has been reached, the Department believes [Page 323] that this is a matter for the Haitian Government and not for the Department. It would seem that with both Lescot9 and de la Rue10 in Haiti at this time, the Legation should be able to obtain full information in the premises.