346. Editorial Note
On December 5 President Magloire told Ambassador Davis that he planned to resign and assume control of the government as Commander in Chief of the Haitian Armed Forces. In telegram 127 from Port-au-Prince, December 6, the Ambassador reported that he told Magloire that it was better for him to remain in power as the legally-elected President rather than as Commander of the Army. (Department of State, Central Files, 738.00/12–656) On December 6 Magloire resigned the Presidency and became Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of the Executive Power. In response to an inquiry from the Department (telegram 79 to Port-au-Prince, December 6; ibid.), Ambassador Davis stated that the Embassy believed that recognition of the new regime should be withheld until the situation was clarified. (Telegram 130 from Port-au-Prince, December 8; ibid., 738.00/12–856)
In the Secretary’s staff meeting on December 11, Rubottom reported that Murphy approved instructing Ambassador Davis to return to Washington for consultation. Rubottom further stated “that Magloire will have to step aside before a solution to this present crisis can be found. He indicated that the Department’s position would be to hold back any aid funds for the Haitians until the situation is clarified.” (Ibid., Secretary’s Staff Meetings: Lot 63 D 75) Ambassador Davis left Haiti on December 13.