Microfilm Reel 288, File 612, "Haiti"

ACK'D JUNE 20 1913 C.L.S.

612

June 19, 1913.

My dear Mr. President:–

When we conferred on the subject of Haiti a few weeks ago it was agreed, as I remember it, that we should appoint a white man as Minister, with the understanding that he would serve only a few months until affairs there could be straightened out and that then a colored man could be appointed. You expressed a doubt as to whether we could find the proper white man for the place.

I think that I have found the man. It is ex-Congressman Smith of Missouri. He was endorsed by the two Senators and Congressmen for a ministerial position. When I explained to the Congressman, now representing his District, that I did not think it possible to appoint any more Ministers from that State, it occured to me to inquire whether he would take this position, understanding that it would only last for a few months, and I have since been informed that he is willing to accept it.

I believe, therefore, that it would be wise to appoint him right away. He impressed me as an excellent man and he was very heartily endorsed by the Senators and Members from Missouri.

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-2-

As we need to make a change there immediately, I venture to bring the matter to your attention in this way.

With assurances of respect, etc., I am,

Very truly yours, W. J. Bryan

The President, The White House.

GBS

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[612]

June 20, 1913

My dear Mr. Secretary:

Replying to your letter of June nineteenth, I think the suggestion about sending ex-Congressman Smith of Missouri for a brief period to Haiti, is an excellent one, and I hope that you will act on it.

In haste Faithfully yours,

Hon. William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of Stated

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612

THE WHITE HOUSE JUN 21 1913 RECEIVED

ACK'D JUN 23 1913 C.L.

June 20, 1913.

My dear Mr. President:-

I sent you a few days ago a suggestion in regard to the purchase of the Mole St. Nicholas in Haiti. As Governor Osborn will leave Monday, I think he ought to have some general instructions as to his course of procedure.

If you will refer to my letter, you will see that it covered three points: First, the size of the concession that we should ask. I suggested a strip of land twenty miles wide, measured from the center of the mouth of the harbor, the strip to run back to a point ten miles beyond the eastern limit of the harbor so as to give us not only the harbor but enough land around it to safeguard the harbor from land attack. The second suggestion was that we assure the Haitian Government that those desiring to remain on this strip could become American citizens and that those not desiring to remain upon the strip could sell their property to this Government at its market value.

If you will give me your views upon this subject and upon any other subjects which occur to you, I should be glad to bring them to the attention of Governor Osborn so that he may be the better qualified

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to act when he arrives there.

I am glad that you are willing to name ex-Congressman Smith, of Missouri, as minister, and I am asking whether his appointment will be acceptable so that we can make the change as soon as possible.

With assurances of respect, etc., I am, my dear Mr. President, Very truly yours,

W. J. Bryan

The President, The White House.

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