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Madre de Dios as described by Mr. Jerome. I have received from a good source the following list giving in each case the name and nationality of the Patron in charge of and owing the Indians." (See enclosure "A".)'

As will be noted by the enclosed list mentioned, the number of Indians who have passed through the Iquitos in the past two years is placed by the Consul at 510. This, according to latest report, does not include "a group of 150 under Samuel Rogeroni, an Italian born in Ecuador, which has been brought down as far as the mouth of the Napo where the men are at present employed in the ivory-nut industries. They are expected to be brought through Iquitos on their way to the Madre de Dios about October next." It will be noticed that the above report fully confirms (with certain discrepancies in the figures given readily accounted for by the fortunes of the journey between the upper Napo and Iquitos) all the statements made by Mr. Jerome in his despatches forwarded to the Department.

The greatest credit is due to Mr. Jerome for his thorough and painstaking investigation of this subject. He has allowed me to examine his latest report (covering 55 pages) concerning the whole subject of the now notorious outrages on the Putumayo as well as the more recent abuses in the Ecuadorean hinterland. From it I have been able to make the following abstract:

The present charges are based upon: (1) The account of an Indian"deputation" from Archidona a town distant only 160 miles from Quito. (See Mr. Jerome's communication of May 14th on file at the Department.) (2) The account of a Peruvian citizen now residing in Quitc who was formerly engaged in business on the upper Napo. (See, below, an account of Mr. Cresson's interview with this man.) (3) The accounts of visiting priests and missionaries whom Mr. Jerome has interviewed in Quito and Lima.

The above accounts cover a period from 1910 to the present day, and the present condition of affairs to be deduced from them may be resumed as follows: The once notorious operations of the rubber gatherers in the upper Putumayo basin having been curtailed by the flight of the native population, the failing rubber supply and the scandals involved in the exploitation of this industry, the operations of the "caucheros" had been transferred to other fields from whence the present supply is now largely drawn. These new areas of rubber forest lie (in a general way) to the south of the town of Pebas, to the south of the town of Nauta; and another large district near the Madre de Dios River on the borders of Bolivia. In order to supply these fields with labor, it would appear that the old system of "correrías" or man-hunts, so familiar in the story of the Putumayo outrages, has been applied once more to the upper waters of the Napo in Ecuadorean territory. This is but the revival of an old state of affairs which only died out because [of] the flight and destruction of the native population following on the suppression of the Ecuadorean missions in 1895.

Mr. Cresson the Secretary of this Legation has been given an opportunity by Mr. Jerome of talking with that gentleman's informant,

Not printed.

the "cauchero" mentioned above. This man, whose testimony seems to be conservative and credible, confirms all the statements contained in Mr. Jerome's reports and added that "the natives who willingly or unwillingly were taken down the river never returned again to their homes and families in the Napo.'

As the literature on this subject has become widely available, it hardly seems necessary for me to enlarge on the nature of the outrages charged. The rumors and testimony referred to would, however, strongly point to the desirability of a thorough investigation of the conditions charged. In my opinion the Ecuadorean Government could scarcely raise objections to any measures which might be taken to put a stop to the kidnapping of useful and laborious citizens of their Republic-uncivilized and even savage though their state may be-to the mean advantage of a few unscrupulous traders.

In Mr. Jerome's opinion real results can only be obtained by an impartial investigation in the interest of humanity which might afterwards lead to representations near the Governments involved based, as is essential, on incontrovertible facts.

Mr. Jerome informs me that, in order to secure this end, he has suggested to H. M's Government the propriety of a personal investigation of the territory concerned, surrounded by as little notoriety as possible. This country is distant only about 160 miles from Quito, which is the nearest center of civilization. It is, however, separated from Quito by the high chain of the Andes and a difficult stretch of country on their eastern slope. The best season to make these investigations would appear to be about the middle of January. Mr. Jerome concurs with me in the opinion that it would be highly advisable, if he is authorized to make this trip, that the Secretary of this Legation, Mr. Cresson, be authorized to accompany him on his expedition. If in the Department's opinion the United States Government could informally cooperate to this extent in the humanitarian efforts of H. M's officials, I consider that Mr. Cresson, who by physique and other attainments is fitted for the work, might readily be detached for this service. Mr. Jerome has asked his Government for a credit, not to exceed $750, in order to cover the necessary expenses of the trip, and in my opinion a similar expenditure should be authorized on Mr. Cresson's behalf.

The above recommendations are made under the apprehension that the Department is inclined to favor the policy of cooperation with respect to these matters suggested by the British Ambassador in his note of July 5th, 1913.

In view of the fact that Mr. Jerome's representations to his Government were made some two weeks ago and that some time will be necessary in order to make proper preparations for the suggested trip, I would respectfully suggest that the Department communicate with this Legation by cable with respect to the attitude I should assume regarding these matters and the proposed investigations.

I have [etc.]

CHARLES S. HARTMAN.

File No. 822.5048/6.

The British Ambassador to the Acting Secretary of State.

BRITISH EMBASSY, Washington, December 3, 1913.

DEAR MR. MOORE: It will be within your recollection that in my note No. 183 of July 5th last I had the honour, under instructions from Sir E. Grey, to communicate unofficially a copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Quito and to enquire whether, in view of the information as to the maltreatment of South American natives contained therein, the United States Government would be disposed to join with His Majesty's Government in a friendly invitation to the Ecuadorean Government to investigate the circumstances and to cooperate with the Peruvian Government in suppressing the traffic in slaves between these two countries if investigation proved that such a traffic existed. In your reply of July 21st it was stated that a copy of this note had been forwarded to the United States Legation at Quito with instructions to report on the subject.

I have now been instructed to enquire whether your Government have received any report from the United States Legation at Quito on the subject and I should be most grateful if you would be kind enough to let me know whether you have received the information desired.

I am [etc.]

For the Ambassador:
COLVILLE BARCLAY.

FRANCE.

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE CONVENTION OF FEBRUARY 10, 1908.1

Signed at Washington February 13, 1913; ratification advised by the Senate February 19, 1913; ratified by the President February 25, 1913; ratified by France February 28, 1913; ratifications exchanged at Washington March 14, 1913; proclaimed March 15, 1913.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas an Agreement between the United States of America and the French Republic, extending the period during which the Arbitration Convention of February 10, 1908, is to remain in force, was concluded and signed by their respective plenipotentiaries at Washington, on the thirteenth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen, the original of which Agreement, being in the English and French languages, is word for word as follows:

Agreement extending the duration of the Arbitration Convention of February 10, 1908.

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the French Republic, being desirous of extending the period of five years during which the Arbitration Convention concluded between them on February 10, 1908, is to remain in force, which period is about to expire, have authorized the undersigned, to wit: Philander C. Knox, Secretary of State of the United States, and J. J. Jusserand, Ambassador of the French Republic to the United States, to conclude the following arrangement:

ARTICLE I.

The Convention of Arbitration of February 10, 1908, between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the French Republic, the duration of which by Article III thereof was fixed at a period of five years from the date of ratification, which period will terminate on Februray 27, 1913, is hereby extended and continued in force for a further period of five years from February 27, 1913.

ARTICLE II.

The present Agreement shall be ratified by the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by the President of the French Republic, in accordance with the constitutional laws of France, and it shall beFor the text of the convention see For. Rel. 1908, p. 331.

come effective upon the date of the exchange of ratifications, which shall take place at Washington as soon as possible.

Done in duplicate, in the English and French languages, at Washington this 13th day of February, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen.

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And whereas the said Agreement has been duly ratified on both parts, and the ratifications of the two governments were exchanged in the City of Washington, on the fourteenth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen:

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, have caused the said Agreement to be made public, to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and [SEAL.] thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and thirty-seventh.

By the President:
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN

Secretary of State.

WOODROW WILSON

REESTABLISHMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN FRANCE AND VENEZUELA; TEXT OF PROTOCOL RELATING THERETO; GOOD OFFICES OF THE UNITED STATES.1

File No. 731.51/32.

The American Minister to Venezuela to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram-Paraphrase.]

AMERICAN LEGATION,
Caracas, June 3, 1912.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs requests that I communicate unofficially a report that the French Government is ready to send a Minister to Venezuela under proper circumstances, and desires the Department to verify the report if possible, either through the French Embassy or the American Embassy at Paris.

File No. 731.51/32.

NORTHCOTT.

The Secretary of State to the American Minister to Venezuela.

No. 14.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 3, 1913. SIR: With reference to your telegram of June 3, regarding the relations between France and Venezuela, the Department encloses

For severance of relations, see For. Rel. 1906, p. 1432.

140322 -FR 1913-34

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