Mr. Thompson to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Petropolis, December 31, 1893,
(Received Feb. 3, 1894.)
No. 117.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose copies of three
notes from the diplomatic corps to the foreign commanders.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
117—Translation.]
Diplomatic Corps to the
Naval Commandants.
Petropolis, December 17,
1893.
The representatives of Great Britain, Italy, the United States, Germany,
Austria-Hungary, France, and Portugal, at the request of Rear-Admiral
Magnaghi, handed to the dean of the diplomatic corps by Capt. Lang, on
the 3d of this month, have lost no time in approaching the minister for
foreign relations of the federal Government, with a view to securing for
foreign shipping a landing place other than that at the navy-yard, which
no longer afforded the requisite safety.
The federal Government, in compliance with the request of the
representatives of the above named powers, have just given notice to the
consular authorities concerned that the new landing place selected is
the place of the city of Rio de Janeiro, known as Praça da Harmonia.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
117—Translation.]
Diplomatic Corps to the
Naval Commandants.
Petropolis, December 19,
1893.
The representatives of Great Britain, Italy, the United States, France,
and Portugal, have the honor to submit for the consideration of the
commanding officers of their respective naval forces certain information
to the effect that it is Rear-Admiral Saldanha da Gama’s intention to
prevent all merchandise from reaching either the custom-house or the
shore. They beg them to observe that such a pretension would hamper the
commercial operations of the foreigners which the said representatives
and commanding officers are charged by their respective governments with
the duty of protecting. The representatives of the above-named powers
also call the attention of the commanding officers to the fact that
shells and projectiles of various calibers fired by the insurgent forces
fall into the city of Rio de Janeiro and make numerous and innocent
victims of all nationalities. They deem it their duty to especially call
the commanders’ attention to the engagement assumed by Mr. Saldanha da
Gama not to fire upon the city “save under imperative circumstances.”
(Salvo circonstancias imperiosas.)
[Page 89]
[Inclosure 3 in No.
117—Translation.]
Diplomatic Corps to the
Naval Commandants.
Petropolis, December 17,
1893.
The diplomatic corps have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the
telegram of the 13th of December, of the commanders of the foreign naval
forces, and beg to remark that they hold themselves, as they have
heretofore, at their entire disposal whenever imperative circumstances
may render a conference necessary. A notice, either by letter or
telegram, sent in good time to Petropolis will suffice to secure a
meeting on the very next day at noon, at the dean of the diplomatic
corps, in the office of the British consulate, Travessa Dom Manoel, No.
8, at Rio de Janeiro.
