No. 643.
Mr. de
Muruaga to Mr. Bayard.
Washington, June 10, 1887. (Received June 11.)
Sir: It appears from explanations forwarded to me by the captain-general of Cuba in reference to passports, that these are not required from foreigners during a month’s travel Beyond this time, according [Page 1031] to the alien law, they must provide themselves with a passport. This is more or less a measure of internal policy. In the first case they are considered under the law as transients, in the second as residents.
Against this I have already remonstrated in Madrid, but to avoid in the meantime all source of trouble, I deem it necessary to instruct all our consuls in the United States to furnish a visa to American citizens going to Cuba at a cost of $1.
Believe me, etc.,