Mr. Romero to Mr. Gresham.
Washington, July 11, 1894. (Received July 11.)
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to inform you, with reference to our previous correspondence respecting the arrest at Brownsville, Tex., of the Mexican citizen Antonio H. Vela, that I have received instructions from Señor Mariscal, secretary of foreign affairs of the United States of Mexico, dated City of Mexico, June 26, 1894, to inform your Department that the Mexican consul at Brownsville reports that Vela’s arrest has been insisted upon on the charge of smuggling to the Vela bank and of having shot from one to the other side of the river; that he is further charged with having disobeyed the order of the Texas authorities to leave the bank, and a summons that was sent him from Hidalgo County, and that only under bail has he been able to obtain his liberty.
The Mexican consul at Brownsville calls attention to the fact that the prosecuting attorney has stated that he has no knowledge of the understanding that has been reached between the Mexican Government and the United States Government with respect to submitting to the International Boundary Commission the question of the nationality of the Vela bank, in order that it be decided in conformity with the convention of March 1, 1889.
[Page 395]For this reason I am again instructed by Señor Mariscal to call this matter to the attention of the United States Government in order that it may renew its orders for a stay of all proceedings against Antonio H. Vela pending the decision, in the terms aforesaid, respecting the nationality of that bank.
Accept, etc.,