Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

810.20 Defense/12–3044: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Dominican Republic (Briggs)

Washington, January 8, 1945—8 p.m.

8. Reurtel 557, December 30⁵⁹ and previous correspondence. Although Department appreciates receiving the Embassy’s views concerning the impending staff conversations, it is the Department’s desire that the Embassy inquire of the Dominican Government as to whether it wishes to participate in such conversations with this Government. Plans for holding these conversations have reached a point where it is not feasible to defer informing the Dominican Government of this Government’s offer. It is the Department’s view, moreover, that in the light of recent disturbances in Haitian-Dominican relations⁶⁰ it would be particularly unfortunate were the Dominican Government to learn that this Government had not requested it to participate but had so requested the Haitian Government. It is expected that the conversations with Haiti and the Dominican Republic will be held after those with other countries have been completed in the hope that by that time the present tension in the Dominican-Haitian relations will have relaxed.

It is again emphasized that these conversations are to be merely exploratory, and will at all times be under the guidance of the Embassy, which is charged with the responsibility of making clear to all participants the preliminary character of the conversations. It is also expected that in the light of the interchange of views expressed during the conversations the Embassy will report both favorable and unfavorable developments which might result from further and more definitive negotiations.⁶¹

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Stettinius

59. Not printed.
60. For correspondence on United States interest in improving these relations, see pp. 172 ff.
61. The Department did not expect any general reports until the conclusion of conversations, but in the case of Brazil it reminded the Ambassador in airgram A–52, January 10, 1945 (not printed), of the desirability of receiving interim reports even though the conversations had become those of small technical committees (810.20 Defense/11–1544).