[Form No. 41.] [Minister of agriculture and public works. Service of public health and hygiene.] The experts charged with the inspection in several localities are requested to forward this statement to the bureau or subbureau of customs. [Inclosure 2 in dispatch No. 141. Abstract from Moniteur Belge, August 29-30, 1898.-Translation.] Expert inspection of imported meats. Leopold II, King of the Belgians, to all that are and shall be, greeting: Reviewing the royal decree of December 14, 1897, concerning the expert inspection of fresh meats imported into the Kingdom, see Article I of the law of December 20, 1897, thus expressed: The articles 19 to 26, 28, and 50 of the loi of April 6, 1843, upon the repression of frand are applicable in case of importation, of exportation, or transit, without declaration of merchandise liable to duty or not, which would be subject to measures of legal control, or which might be temporarily prohibited for any cause whatever, at the point of entry, or of departure or in transit, by all the frontiers or only a part. See the notice of the service of veterinary inspection. Upon the proposition of our minister of agriculture and public works, we have decreed and we hereby do decree: Articles 1, 3, and 8 of the royal decree of December 14, 1897, relative to the inspection of imported meats into the Kingdom, are replaced by the following provisions: ART. 1. The entrance into Belgium of meats, fats, and appurtenances, fresh, prepared, or preserved, coming from animals of the cattle, sheep, goat, or swine species, is not authorized except through the custom-house officers or branches of these offices, upon the frontier or in the interior as designated by our minister of agriculture and public works, and upon the days and at the hours determined in accord with our minister of finance. The importation of meats, fats, and appurtenances of the horse species, prepared or preserved, is interdicted. ART. 3. These meats, fats, and appurtenances imported shall not be delivered to the public markets for food until they are pronounced suitable for consumption and provided with a stamp in conformity to the model prescribed, after an examination put in operation by the veterinarians charged with the control of live stock imported into Belgium or by other experts designated for this purpose. For those products which are prepared or preserved the stamp may be applied to the boxes or receptacles. ART. 8. Infractions of articles 1 and 2 of this decree will be punished by the penalties provided by the law of April 6, 1845, for the repression of fraud in customs. Infractions of articles 3 to 7 will be punished by the penalties provided by articles 6 and 7 of the law of August 4, 1890, without prejudice, as to the application of penalties established by the penal code. Our minister of agriculture and public works is charged with the execution of this decree. Given at Ostend August 22, 1898. LEOPOLD. In the name of the King. The minister of agriculture and public works. LEON DE BRUYN, No. 79.1 BOLIVIA. ASYLUM IN LEGATIONS. Mr. Bridgman to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, La Paz, Bolivia, December 24, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to state that the ministers in La Paz representing the American, Brazilian, and French Governments have formed a joint council for the purpose of acting in unison regarding the reception and treatment of refugees asking "asylum" of the legations during the present insurrection. In reference to the same I drew up a set of rules to govern our actions in the matter, a copy of which I inclose herewith. These rules were accepted without alteration, and signed by all. The rules are based on paragraphs 50 and 51, page 20, in Instructions to Diplomatic Officers, and paragraph 92, page 138, of Woolsey (Scribner's 1897 edition). The idea in South America is deeply rooted, among the populace at least, that a foreign legation is legally a refuge for all sorts of crimi nals, who may remain in safety from lawful or unlawful pursuit. I have, etc., GEORGE H. BRIDGMAN. [Inclosure 1 in No. 79.] Conditions agreed upon by all the ministers undersigned to govern reception of refugees. Every person asking asylum must be received first in the outer or waiting room of the legation, and there state his name, official capacity, if any, residence, and reasons for demanding refuge; also if his life is threatened by mob violence or is in active danger from any attack. If, according to the joint rules laid down by the committee composed of the Brazilian, American, and French ministers, he shall be adjudged eligible for protection, he must subscribe to the following rules in writing: First. To agree that the authorities shall be at once notified of his place of refuge. Second. To hold no communication with any outside person, and to receive no visitors except by permission of the authority quoted above. Third. To agree not to leave the legation without permission of the resident min ister. Fourth. To hold himself as virtually the prisoner-guest of the minister in whose legation he is. Fifth. To agree to peaceably yield himself to the proper authorities when so demanded by them and requested by his host. Sixth. To quietly depart when so requested by the minister, should the authorities not demand his person after a reasonable time has elapsed. EDWARDO LISBOA. LA PAZ, BOLIVIA, December 21, 1898. CENTRAL AMERICA. DISSOLUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF CENTRAL AMERICA. No. 174.] Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San Jose, Costa Rica, December 1, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy and translation of official telegram received this a. m. by the Government of Costa Rica announcing the final dissolution of the newly formed United States of Central America by the executive council thereof. With assurances of my highest consideration, etc., WILLIAM LAWRENCE MERRY, United States Minister. [Inclosure 1 in No. 174.-Translation.] [Telegram deposited in Amapala November 29 at 12.40 p. m. Received in San Jose November 30 at 9.20 a. m.] To the Minister of Foreign Relations: With real regret I fulfill the duty of advising your excellency that the executive federal council has decided to day to declare that the existence of the Republic of the United States of Central America is dissolved, not being able to continue in the exercise of its functions consequently. I will send to your excellency separately the documents justifying such a transcendent resolution taken as extraordinary necessity in consequence of the important events in Salvador. Central American patriotism feels injured in its most legitimate interests and leaves the responsibility to those who insisted in destroying their work. On leaving my post I have the honor to repeat to your excellency the protestations of my consideration and respect. J. SANSON. No. 175. Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San Jose, Costa Rica, December 2, 1898. SIR: Respectfully referring to my No. 174, dated 1st instant, I have the honor to advise that the Government of Costa Rica has officially recognized the Regalado anti-Federal Government of Salvador. Guatemala has not, so far as I am advised, taken like action, but is expected to do so soon. I have inclosed herewith telegram just received from Hon. Erasmo Calderon, minister of foreign affairs of the newly habilitated Republic of Nicaragua, which is self-explanatory, and follows the proclamation of President Zelaya, dated November 30, announcing the resumption of her sovereignty as a Republic. I have already advised that the Government of Honduras has recognized the new Government of Salvador. I have, etc., WILLIAM LAWRENCE MERRY, United States Minister. [Inclosure in No. 175.] [Telegram deposited in Palace Managua, December 11, 1898, at 6.20 p.m. Received in San Jose December 2, 1898, at 3 p. m.] UNITED STATES MINISTER: I have the honor to advise your excellency that by decree of my Government of this date Nicaragua has assumed the full sovereignty of a free and independent Republic, through the dissolution of the Federal Republic of the United States of Central America, to which it belonged, the ministry of foreign relations being reestablished. In communicating to your excellency the foregoing I have also the satisfaction of advising you that I have taken charge of that important post by disposition of the President, and that in it I will second the decided intention of my Government to continue cultivating with that of your excellency the most frank and cordial relations for the mutual interest of both countries. While I may be at the head of such an important department I shall have the pleasure of maintaining the most sincere friendship with your excellency. With all consideration, your excellency's most attentive, sincere servant, Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. ERASMO CALDERON. No. 178.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San Jose, Costa Rica, December 10, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith documents which may be of interest in connection with the dissolution of the newly formed Estados Unidos de Centro America. With assurances, etc., WILLIAM LAWRENCE MERRY, United States Minister. [Inclosure 1 in No. 178.-Translation] Executive power—General ministry. Considering that the compact of Amapala, celebrated in June, 1895, and all that proceeds therefrom, has not obtained the legitimate sanction of the Salvadorean people, and moreover has been a violation of the political constitution of Salvador; that the assembled constituent assembly of Managua, reunited in June of the present year, the deputies of Salvador were not directly elected by the Salvadorean people, and for that reason had no legal authority to concur to a constituent law that could bind the Republic; that the union with the Republics of Honduras and Nicaragua under the contracted terms will seriously injure the interests of Salvador, decrees: ART. 1. The Republic of Salvador is not obliged, by the contract of Amapala, to acknowledge any authority in the constitution of Managua of the 27th August of the current year, and it is released from the contract of union with the Republics of Honduras and Nicaragua. ART. 2. The Republic of Salvador assumes in full its self-government and independ ence, and will enter into the union with the sister Republics of Central America when the same is convenient to its positive interests and is the express and free will of the Salvadorean people. Given in the Executive Palace, November 25, 1898. T. REGALADO, General of Division and Provisional President of the Republic of Salvador. [Inclosure 2 in No. 178.-Translation.] A circular from the general ministry. SAN SALVADOR, November 30, 1898. Señor GOVERNOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, present: You will please make public the following: Peace in the Republic is now a real and positive fact, without fear that anyone may be able to disturb it. The federal council was dissolved yesterday in Amapala through want of any assistance. The Republics of Nicaragua and Honduras have assumed, like Salvador, their autonomy and independence, and we have now frank and friendly relations with their respective Governments. The Government of the country occupies itself now in mustering out its troops, keeping only those needed for the conservation of public order. All the Salvadoreans can now quietly devote themselves to their industries, and, without distinction, may be certain of enjoying every guarantee and that the Government is determined to preserve the peace, in order that it may bring prosperity to the country and well-being for all. Your obedient servant, [Inc sure 3 in No. 178.-Translation.] Decree issued at Managua, December 1, 1898. E. ARANJO. Inasmuch as the federal executive council, installed at Amapala on the 1st ultimo, has declared dissolved the Republic of the United States of Central America by act of the 29th of same month, obliging the State of Nicaragua to reassume its sovereighty, therefore the council of ministers decrees: First. Nicaragua assumes her full sovereignty of a free and independent Republic, and in consequence the constitution of 1893, with the reforms of 1896, will continue in force throughout. Second. The department of foreign relations is reestablished and annexed to that of Gobierno [Interior]. Third. All danger of peace and public tranquillity not having yet disappeared, the martial law ruling prior to 1st November last remains in force. Fourth. With this decree report shall be made at the next assembly of the national legislature and will take effect from its publication. Signed: J. S. Zelaya, and by ministers of the departments of interior, treasury, instruction, and development. No. 197.] Mr. Merry to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, San Jose, Costa Rica, December 29, 1898. SIR: Herewith I have the honor of inclosing a translated and Spanish copy of a communication from the late "executive federal council," of the late United States of Central America, officially announcing its dissolution, and stating some of the causes that lead thereto. Although you have been already informed of the facts therein stated, the communication is respectfully forwarded to the Department of State, as therein requested. With assurances, etc., WILLIAM LAWRENCE MERRY, |