settlement of the boundary question. The notes are dated January 20 and 21, respectively, but they were in fact exchanged on February 13th. I have [etc.] [Enclosure 1-Translation] EVAN E. YOUNG The Dominican Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sanchez) to the Haitian Minister in the Dominican Republic (Dejean) [SANTO DOMINGO,] January 20, 1928. MR. MINISTER: The Government of the Dominican Republic, convinced of the necessity, under which the Haitian people and the Dominican people are, of harmonizing their conflicting interests and of comprehending how a common destiny holds them linked in the same future of progress and of improvement, has, obedient to the feeling of friendship and of sincere sympathy which presides over the relations of our two Governments, deemed it opportune to invite Your Excellency's Government to recognize, as my Government recognizes, the expedience of reaching a definitive accord, frank and open, which shall put a happy end to the difficulties which, in connection with the pending frontier question, have frequently been present in the relations of these peoples with evident diminution of their tranquility and welfare. In making this declaration, the Dominican Government entertains the hope that neither of the parties will spare its efforts to arrive at a final understanding which will permit definitively resolving the pending frontier question between both countries, in order that thus, with old motives of suspicion and distrust removed from their relations, they may unite with firmness their necessities and their aspirations on the road of civilization. The Dominican Government is certain that no other moment will be more propitious than is this for accomplishing its purpose of rapprochement between the two States, now that the evidences of cordiality and sympathy which both peoples have just offered on the occasion of the visits of their respective Chiefs of State, demonstrate with certainty that the differences which separated them in the past were the consequence of the little acquaintance which the two nations had of each other. This disposition, Mr. Minister, is indicative of the sincere desire, in which my Government persists, of furnishing a solution of the frontier difference and of arriving, in accordance with the provisions of our Public Law, contained in Article 3 of the Constitution of the State, at a conclusion of the difficulties which, in connection with that conflict, have separated our two peoples. The Dominican Govern ment through me declares to the Haitian Government that it will make every effort it can to facilitate the understanding which it mentions, for the felicity of these peoples called, for many reasons, to live a similar future and to face a similar destiny. I approve the opportunity [etc.] RAFAEL AUGUSTO SANCHEZ [Enclosure 2-Translation] The Haitian Minister in the Dominican Republic (Dejean) to the Dominican Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sanchez) [SANTO DOMINGO,] January 21, 1928. MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: I have transmitted to my Government the important communication which Your Excellency addressed to me [on the 20th of January instant], relative to the question of the frontiers, and I have received instructions to transmit to you the following: The Government of Haiti, equally convinced of the necessity, more imperious than ever, of consolidating, to perpetuate them through time, the relations of friendship and of good neighborhood which exist between the two countries, is happy to affirm again its conviction, in conformity with that of the Dominican Government, that it is expedient to put an end so soon as possible to the existing difficulties on the subject of the frontiers. It believes that the present time is particularly favorable to the realization of this accord, in view of the excellent disposition which animates the two Governments and which has just been so brilliantly manifested by the visits of the two Chiefs of State, a disposition which harmonizes completely with the sentiments of mutual sympathy so spontaneously expressed by the two peoples in the course of these visits. The Haitian Government in consequence declares itself ready to conclude, by direct negotiations with the Dominican Government and without recourse to arbitration, a treaty which definitely assures the drawing of the frontier on the basis of the possessions which the two States at present occupy and by means of reciprocal sacrifices in conformity with equity and with their common interest. The Haitian Government has the firm hope that the Dominican Government will spare no effort with a view to obtaining this frank, open solution, more in conformity with the permanent interest of the two nations. I am [etc.] LÉON DEJEAN 738.3915/338 The Minister in the Dominican Republic (Young) to the Secretary of No. 811 State SANTO DOMINGO, March 9, 1928. [Received March 20.] SIR: Confirming the Legation's telegram No. 19 of March 8, 1928,8* I have the honor to report that an informal agreement has been reached between the Haitian Minister and the special representative of the Dominican Government, Mr. Troncoso de la Concha, as to the line which should serve as the boundaries between the following points: In the North, from the outlet of the river Massacre to Banica, and in the South, from the outlet of the river Pedernales to Jimani. NORTHERN SECTOR The line agreed upon starts from the outlet of the Massacre river and follows the 1912 line (American line) to the junction point of the Massacre and Capotille rivers, near Acul Parisien, thence along the Capotille river to Lamine, thence in a southerly direction to Bois Pins, thence from Bois Pins to La Miel-La Guardia Vieja-Banica. SOUTHERN SECTOR From the outlet of the Pedernales river to Cabeza del Agua, thence to Boisdon-Bois Tombe-La Guasuma-Minguet-Jimani. The remaining section of the line (Jimani to Banica) will probably present no serious difficulties. In the somewhat lengthy conferences which I have had with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sanchez and with the Haitian Minister, both were very optimistic as to the possibility of reaching a final and complete agreement. While the conversations between the Haitian Minister and Mr. Troncoso de la Concha are from a technical standpoint to be regarded as informal, both parties have of course frequently consulted their respective Governments, and the agreement reported above has the approval of the Chief Executives of the two countries. The Legation is in close touch with the matter, and in a quiet and discreet manner is doing everything possible and appropriate to assist in the effecting of a final settlement of this long-standing and troublesome question. The Department will be promptly apprised, by cable and despatch, of all further developments. 83 In the Legation's telegram No. 18 of February 25, 1928 8 through an inadvertence reference was made to Lake Enriquillo instead of Lake Saumatre. I have [etc.] 83 Not printed. 237576-42- -53 EVAN E. YOUNG 738.3915/345 The Minister in the Dominican Republic (Young) to the Secretary of State No. 908 SANTO DOMINGO, May 26, 1928. SIR: Supplementing previous reports in regard to the informal negotiations now in progress concerning the Haitian-Dominican boundary question, I have the honor to submit the following brief report respecting the present status of the negotiations. Beginning at the North, an informal agreement has been reached with respect to the line from the mouth of the Dajabón river down to Toussaint, a small town about fifteen miles northeast of Lake del Fondo. Under the agreement the Dominican Government will receive from Haiti sufficient territory so that the road which now connects Banica and Restauración will lie entirely within Dominican territory. As compensation for the territory referred to above, the Dominican Government has agreed to give Haiti all of Lake del Fondo, through which the status quo line now runs, and sufficient territory between Tierra Nueva and the edge of the lake so that the Haitians may travel around the lake, on the east and northern sides, without having to cross over into Dominican territory. An agreement in principle has been reached with respect to the major portion of the line between Jimani and the mouth of the Pedernales river. One troublesome question, however, remains to be adjusted. A Haitian road leading north from the port of Anses-á-Pitre crosses the Pedernales river some eleven times near Banane. The Haitian Government is asking for the cession to it of a small strip of land, about four kilometers in length and one kilometer in width, at this point in order that this road may lie entirely within Haitian territory. The Dominican Government is reluctant to accede to this request and desires that the river shall serve as the boundary. As a compromise, the Dominican Government has informally suggested that that portion of the road which would traverse Dominican territory be internationalized. This suggestion appears to be unacceptable to the Haitian Minister. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sanchez, with whom I informally conferred at length yesterday, informs me that he is entirely willing personally to accede to the Haitian request for the cession of the small strip of territory involved. He is arranging for a reconsideration of the matter by the Dominican commission and is hopeful that the matter can be adjusted. With the settlement of this remaining point an informal agreement will again have been reached with regard to the entire boundary. The present session of Congress terminates tomorrow, but it is the intention of President Vasquez to convene the Congress in special session, so soon as an agreement shall have been reached, for the purpose of enacting the necessary legislation preparatory to the convoking of a constituent assembly for the purpose of amending Article 3 of the Constitution. The Department will be kept promptly and fully informed of all developments. I have [etc.] 738.3915/349: Telegram EVAN E. YOUNG The Chargé in the Dominican Republic (Frost) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] SANTO DOMINGO, July 30, 1928-5 p.m. [Received 8:55 p. m.] 45. Informal agreement on the Haitian boundary question was signed today. FROST 738.3915/349: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Dominican Republic (Frost) WASHINGTON, July 31, 1928-6 p. m. 16. Your 45, July 30, 5 p. m. When the agreement is made public please express to the President and the Minister for Foreign Affairs personally my hearty congratulations on this peaceful settlement of the long-standing dispute, an act which redounds greatly to the credit of both countries and sets a splendid example for others to follow.85 KELLOGG 738.3915/372 The Minister in the Dominican Republic (Young) to the Secretary of No. 1091 State SANTO DOMINGO, November 13, 1928. [Received November 24.] SIR: Supplementing the Legation's despatch No. 1090, of November 10, 1928,86 I have the honor to forward for the Department's 85 An identical message to be communicated to the respective Haitian officials was sent to the Legation in Haiti as telegram No. 41 of the same date (not printed). "Not printed. |