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THE COUNSELOR
FOR THE DEPARTMENT
OF STATE
WASHINGTON

October 28, 1914.

Dear Mr. President:

In view of our conversation this noon relative
to Haiti, it seemed to me of first importance that
the naval force in Haitian waters should be at once
increased, not only for the purpose of protecting
foreign interests, but also as evidence of the
earnest intention of this Government to settle the
unsatisfactory state of affairs which exists. We
have one vessel now at Cape Haitien and two others
are needed on the south coast, one at Port an Prince
and the other at Gonaives.

In the absence of Secretary Daniels and Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt I took up the matter with Admiral
Fiske, who thinks one vessel can be spared from

Dominican

The President,
The White House.

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