Department
of State,
Washington, August 13,
1891.
No. 13.]
[Inclosure 4 in No. 13.]
Mr. Houston to Mr.
Adee.
Pacific
Mail Steamship Company’s Executive Offices,
Mills
Building, 35 Wall
Street,
New
York, August 10,
1891.
Dear Sir: Referring to our dispatch of this
morning, I beg to advise the Department of the fact that we have
received the following cablegram to-day from Capt. John M. Dow, general
agent of this company on the Isthmus of Panama and in general charge of
our Central American business:
“To Pacific Steamship
Company, New York:
“The following dispatch has been received here (Panama), 4 p.m.,
from Capt. F. P. White, of the City of
Panama, dated La Libertad, Salvador: ‘Authorities
refuse to clear ship here, saying ship confiscated by order of
Government. Gen. Letona, passenger, Corinto, Nicaragua, to San
José, Guatemalan Commandant at La Union, Salvador, with armed
force, demanded surrender, saying political criminal; refused to
dispatch ship unless request complied with request refused.
After twenty-seven hours in port sailed without clearance.
Agents here advise going to San José direct, there to land
passengers, apprehending serious difficulties from Ezeta at
Acajutla with armed force determined to arrest five political
refugees on board. I await advice.’
“We have telegraphed Trigueros (our agent at La Libertad) as
follows: ‘Please communicate the following to Capt. White, City of Panama, referring to your
dispatch of August 9: Proceed to San José de Guatemala direct.
Keep your passengers on board until you communicate with United
States minister.’
“Dow.”
We desire to communicate this information to the Department of State, as
we fear the authorities of Salvador may take some action detrimental to
our property interests in the ports of that country in consequence of
the refusal of Capt. White to give up these political refugees.
Hoping that the Department will take prompt action, I remain, etc.,
J. B. Houston,
Vice-President.
