No. 640.
Mr. Fairchild to Mr. Evarts.

[Extract.]
No. 87.]

Sir: Yesterday morning I received your telegram.

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I at once arranged for an interview with Señor Elduayen, which was had at his private residence at half-past one o’clock p.m. when I informed [Page 1045] Señor Elduayen of your disappointment at not receiving an answer to the complaints of the United States in regard to the interference by Spanish cruisers with American vessels, and the earnest desire of my government for early information on the subject; Señor Elduayen responded that when the complaints were first presented by me, the Spanish Government at once ordered the Cuban authorities to make a most thorough and impartial investigation of all the circumstances attending the alleged outrages, and to report the result of such investigations at the earliest possible moment; that no report had as yet been received; that the Spanish Government was anxious that the matter should be brought to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion, and to that end had done all that lay in its power. He further said that the Spanish Government would at once telegraph to the captain-general of Cuba to hasten as much as possible the investigation, and as soon as it was concluded to send by telegraph to Madrid an abstract of the report which would follow by mail, and that I should at once be informed of its nature.

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I will be prompt in conveying to you any information I may receive on the subject.

I have, &c.,

LUCIUS FAIRCHILD.