No. 627.
Mr. Strobel to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Madrid, November 2, 1887.
(Received November 14.)
No. 271.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy and
translation of a note received from the ministry of state, reporting a
modification of the Cuban passport system, which, as I learn from the
Department 228 of October 20, 1887, just received, has already been
communicated by the consulate-general at Havana. Identification is still
necessary, and, as the order applies to American citizens, a man must of
course prove himself a citizen in order to be relieved of the necessity of
showing a passport. This looks very much like working in a circle.
In view of the persistence with which the legation verbally and in writing
has pressed this question upon the attention of the Spanish Government the
result is not entirely what was hoped for.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 271.]
Mr. Moret to Mr.
Strobel.
[Translation.]
Ministry of State,
Palace,
October 28, 1887.
My Dear Sir: I have the honor to inform you
that the minister of the colonies, in accordance with the report of the
corresponding department of the council of state, has issued the
following regulations on the subject of passports in Cuba relative to
citizens of the United States:
- (1)
- That American citizens can enter the island, of Cuba without
passport, but identifying themselves with the documents referred
to in article 4 of the law of July 4, 1870.
- (2)
- That those who are not inscribed in the register of
transients, and have, resided in the island less than three
months, can leave it by presenting the documents by virtue of
which their entrance was authorized to the superior civil
authority of the point of departure in order that he place his
visa, after entering them in a special register.
- (3)
- That American citizens who have provided themselves with a
certificate of being domiciled or transient may show this to the
authorities for the purposes stated, in the former
article.
- (4)
- That the entering and visa of the documents to which the
preceding articles refer shall he made with celerity in ordinary
cases, to avoid trouble, and in return for a moderate fee
collected in stamped paper, or a corresponding stamp canceled in
due form.
The preceding regulations adopted for the benefit of American citizens,
and proving the interest with which Her Majesty’s Government tries, as
far as possible, to meet the wishes of the Washington cabinet, have been
already transmitted to the governor-general of Cuba for their exact
performance, and while giving you the above information, in reply to the
different notes which the legation has been good enongh to address me on
the subject, I reiterate assurances of my highest consideration.
