838.00/3164
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Haiti (Heath)
Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 119 of September 2, 1933,68 relating to the activities of the opposition group and the press with respect to the Accord of August 7, 1933, and the Government’s proposal to take repressive measures against the press in the event that it should commence a campaign against the Accord.
While it is unfortunate that the opposition press should use the Accord as a means to criticize and embarrass the Government, the Department believes that no good purpose would be served by suppressing or otherwise drastically hampering the press. Furthermore, should the Government determine to carry out its proposed measures in such a manner that its action would be contrary to a fair and just interpretation of the local press laws, the Department obviously might be constrained to consider whether it could properly permit the use of the Garde for such purposes. The Department approves the views which you expressed to M. Blanchet in the matter as reported in your despatch under reference.
The Department hopes that the publicity which you were authorized to use in the Department’s telegraphic instructions, Nos. 67 and 68,69 will be sufficient to put an end to the unwarranted misrepresentations recently made by the opposition press with respect to the Accord, and that it will not be necessary to inform the Haitian Government of the Department’s views as to the use of the Garde as expressed above. [Page 764] However, should the Government persist in its proposal to use drastic and unjustified measures to curb the press you are authorized informally and orally to bring to the attention of the Minister of Foreign Relations the Department’s views as set forth above.
Very truly yours,