Woodrow Wilson Papers Microfilm Reels

to Haiti, page 2.

of Haiti is stable or any promise of a reign of peace and prosperity. When American invectors seek to secure concessions we should be informed of the name and address of such Americans and of the terms or advantages asked, so that we canmay acquaint ourselves with the whole subject. Our obligation to the American epeople requires that we shall give all legitimate assistance to American investors in Haiti, but we are under obligations just as binding to protect Haiti, as far as our influence goos, from injustice or exploitation at the hands of Americans. Therefore, in order to perform our duty completely we must be fully informed as to the facts in each case.

830.00/1063, 1065

He/T

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Form 1595

THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY

NEWSPAPER SPECIAL REPORT

SEND BY WESTERN UNION LINES

(5)

PAGE LETTER

PARAGRAPH:

IF POSSIBLE IT IS ADVISABLE THAT AN ANSWER SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY WIRE FROM YOU TODAY IN ORDER THAT ADMIRAL CAPERTON RECEIVE HIS INSTRUCTIONS PROMPTLY.

ROBERT LANSING. 335PM

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has served in Cuba with the American Government, filling the position of Disbursing Officer from August 1, 1899 to May 20, 1902, and is conversant with the financial operations of the Government of Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands, for whom he has acted as Disbursing Agent, and with the changes that were necessary to bring the accounting and financial systems of those Governments to their present high standard. In addition he has made a study of Philippine currency.

He is most highly recommended by General McIntyre, Chief of the Bureau of Insular Affairs and by General Clarence Edwards, formerly Chief of that bureau.

Mr. Ruan’s knowledge of Spanish is fair; that of French considerably less. In view, however, of his manifest qualifications for this position, this should not prove a handicap to his effective cooperation with the French-speaking General Receiver and Deputy General Receiver of Customs, who have recently been appointed.

If upon examination of this statement of Mr. Ruan's record you concur in my opinion as to his qualifications for this position I shall be happy to transmit to the President of Haiti your suggestion of his name.

I am, my dear Mr. President,

Very sincerely yours,

Robert Lansing

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The State Department advise that a note had been sent to the President from the Department asking the President to attend the funeral of the Haitian Minister at St. Matthews Patrick Church at eleven o’clock Monday morning and had assumed that the President would attend.

The President will attend.

G.F.C.

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