File No. 312.52/688. Vice Consul Lux to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] AMERICAN CONSULATE, Vera Cruz, December 22, 1915. Spanish Consul Vera Cruz in a communication to-day requests transmit his petition for admission four Spaniards American war vessel until first steamer Havana to avoid arrest and arbitrary prosecution [omission] attempted seizure of hotel property here. Consul desires assume the responsibility in handling matter with authorities and establish precedent regarding seizure of property. File No. 312.52/688. The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Lux. [Telegram.] Lux. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 28, 1915. Your December 22. This Government is not disposed to extend refuge to foreigners on American war vessels except in cases of extreme emergency. The cases mentioned by you do not appear to be of this nature. LANSING. EXPULSION OF THE SPANISH MINISTER FROM MEXICO; GOOD OFFICES OF THE UNITED STATES. File No. 701.5212/4. The Spanish Ambassador to the Secretary of State. SPANISH EMBASSY, Washington, February 3, 1915. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY. Confirming the conversation I had with you this morning over the telephone, I beg to inform you that according to a telegram which I have received from the Spanish Minister in Mexico, dated today, the arrest of Angel Caso, a Spanish subject and Confidential Agent of the Spanish Government to General Villa, was attempted yesterday evening at Mexico City, under instructions from General Obregon, who has assumed command of the capital. The gravest fears are entertained by the Spanish Minister in Mexico for the life of Sr. Caso, and he asks me to appeal to your good offices in order to obtain from General Carranza the necessary guaranties for the protection of the person, family, house and property of Sr. Angel Caso. I beg to recommend this request personally to your earnest consideration, in the hope that you will do everything in your power to secure the protection of this Spanish subject, whose life appears to be in extreme danger. Believe [etc.] JUAN RIAÑO. File No 701.5212/1a. The Secretary of State to the Brazilian Minister to Mexico. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 3, 1915. 431. Department informed by Spanish Embassy here that Angel Caso, Special Representative of Spanish Government near General Villa, now in Mexico City, threatened with arrest by Carranza forces. Please confer with appropriate authorities and point out to them the serious consequences that may result from the arrest of a diplomatic officer of a foreign government and strenuously protest against such action. Mr. Silliman may be of service in matter in view of his friendly relations with General Carranza. File No. 701.5212/2a. BRYAN. The Acting Secretary of State to the Brazilian Minister to Mexico. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 4, 1915. 436. Department informed by Spanish Ambassador that Obregon has informed Spanish Minister in Mexico that unless he produce and deliver Angel de Caso, who is in seclusion in Spanish Legation, within twenty-eight hours he will take Spanish Minister to Vera Cruz and deport him. Please lose no time in exercising your good offices and Obregon the dangerous consequences of such an act. urge him take no summary action regarding de Caso. ment advised concerning this situation. File No. 701.5212/3. impress upon At same time Keep Depart LANSING. Special Agent Silliman to the Secretary of State. [Telegram-Extract.] MEXICO CITY, February 4, 1915. Acting upon the suggestion of the Secretary of State to the Brazilian Minister, I have telegraphed Carranza in behalf of Angel Caso. The result is very doubtful because the instruction to Obregon, which the Spanish Minister considers exceedingly offensive and even threat, came from Carranza himself by telegraph. The man in a confidential conversation with me three weeks ago voluntarily made very favorable expressions regarding Carranza. He is thought to be in the Spanish Legation but is not there and may escape arrest. SILLIMAN. File No. 701.5212/6. The Brazilian Minister to Mexico to the Secretary of State. [Telegrams.] BRAZILIAN LEGATION, Mexico City, February 6, 1915. 312. Your 436, February 4. As far as I was informed by the Spanish Minister, he received an intimation from Carranza transmitted by Obregon, to surrender the person within 24 hours. Spanish Minister protested in truth that the person mentioned was not concealed in his Legation and so far nothing has happened. Spanish Minister has further informed me that he has personally received no threat of deportation. Under the circumstances everything possible to help matters, including Silliman who has interposed his good offices to that effect. File No. 701.5212/10. C. DE OLIVEIRA. BRAZILIAN LEGATION, Mexico City, February 9, 1915. 321. Spanish Minister has informed me and other colleagues that he received this evening a telegraphic communication from Carranza intimating to him to leave the country within 24 hours to be counted from midnight of tomorrow. He will leave Mexico City February 11, for Vera Cruz, the only road now open. As the time is too short and he will arrive at Vera Cruz too late to find means of leaving the country within specified time, and so run risk of getting in trouble, it was thought you may arrange that an officer of the American man-of-war there could be ordered meet him at the station and take him immediately on board the American boat, where he could await first opportunity to leave. File No. 701.5212/11. CARDOSO DE OLIVEIRA. Special Agent Silliman to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] MEXICO CITY, February 10, 1915. Referring to the peremptory and most offensive order received by the Spanish Minister from the First Chief last night to leave the country within 24 hours beginning at midnight tonight. The Minister is charged with aiding, and harboring in the Legation, Caso who is wanted for punishment on a political accusation; also with disobeying the order demanding that the Legation be searched. The Minister positively denies both charges. On February 4, complying with Department's February 3 to the Brazilian Minister, I sent the following telegram to Carranza: It is suggested by Secretary Bryan that I may be of some service in connection with the proposed arrest of Mr. Angel Caso, Confidential Agent of the Spanish Legation. The Department hopes, in view of his connection with the legation of a foreign government, that the arrest will not be made. In personal conversation with me about three weeks ago, this gentleman expressed the most favorable opinion of you. I sincerely trust that the accusation against him is of such a nature that some intimation may be made to him in regard to it instead of placing him under arrest. I understand that General Obregon, presuming him to be at the Spanish Legation, has given the legation until 6 p. m. this afternoon to deliver him. My understanding is that he is not at the legation. I also on the same day telegraphed my personal sympathy on the death of his brother and two nephews. The personal message received prompt reply, the other remains unanswered. File No. 701.5212/10. SILLIMAN. The Secretary of State to the Brazilian Minister to Mexico. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 11, 1915. 453. Your 321, February 9, has been repeated to Consul, Vera Cruz, and copied to Brazilian Ambassador. While the Spanish Minister has already departed from Mexico City, you are requested to take immediate action in his behalf if his trip is interrupted or if he is otherwise molested. Appropriate instructions have been sent to Consul Canada and the Navy Department has sent instructions to Commander at Vera Cruz to meet the train and take Spanish Minister to American ship. File No. 701.5212/10. W. J. BRYAN. The Secretary of State to Consul Canada. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 11, 1915. Following telegram, dated February 9, received today from Brazilian Minister in Mexico: Spanish Minister has informed me and other colleagues that he received this evening a telegraphic communication from Carranza intimating to him to leave the country within twenty-four hours to be counted from midnight of tomorrow. He will leave Mexico City February 11 for Vera Cruz, the only road now open. As the time is too short and he will arrive at Vera Cruz too late to find means of leaving the country within specified time, and so run risk of getting into trouble, it was thought you may arrange that an officer of the American man-of-war there could be ordered to meet him at the station and take him immediately on board the American boat, where he could await first opportunity to leave. You will communicate above to American Commander. Carranza's representatives here are wiring Carranza to furnish full protection to Spanish Minister en route, but as a matter of precaution you will take matter up at once with Carranza and ask for proper protection. Navy Department has given necessary instructions to Commander of vessel. BRYAN. File No. 701.5212/12. Special Agent Silliman to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] MEXICO CITY, February 11, 1915. Spanish Minister left this morning for Vera Cruz. Should arrive approximately 9 o'clock p. m. I understand the motives influencing the Diplomatic Corps in making representation to their various Governments are: the unfriendly attitude of the Carranza Government; the futility of representations to any government; the general prevailing condition approaching anarchy; and the possibility of the complete isolation of the city. The first reason does not appear as entirely sufficient because the Constitutionalists' occupation here seems indifferent to them and [omission?] for other reasons the other governments have given due consideration to the diplomatists though scarcely anything has been obtained in response to representations. If the diplomatists do decide to leave, could the Department devise some plan for me to remain as an observer only, making reports by code if permitted to use it? File No. 701.5212/13. Consul Canada to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] SILLIMAN. AMERICAN CONSULATE, Vera Cruz, February 11, 1915. Department's February 11 received too late to notify Commander of battleship. However, on receipt telegram from Brazilian Minister early afternoon secured assurances authorities to accord decent treatment Spanish Minister. He arrived safely 10.40 tonight, immediately went on board Spanish transatlantic steamer which sails 16th. If necessary, refuge on board American battleship will be arranged. CANADA. File No. 701.5212/19. The Spanish Ambassador to the Secretary of State. [Translation.] SPANISH EMBASSY, Washington, February 13, 1915. MR. SECRETARY: I take special pleasure in performing the mission intrusted to me by the Minister of Spain at Mexico in the telegram which he was enabled to send me owing to the courtesy of the Commander of the Delaware and which your excellency had the kindness to transmit to me. I am glad to voice the sentiments of my colleague in expressing to your excellency his heartfelt gratitude for the hospitality and special kindnesses which were shown him by Captain Rodgers and the officers of said vessel. I reiterate [etc.] JUAN RIAÑO. |