Mr. Taylor to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, September 1,
1894. (Received September 13.)
No. 231.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herein, with
translation, a copy of a note just received from the minister of state
in reply to my note of the 27th ultimo, demanding permission for the
missionaries to return to Ponape, a copy of which I mailed to you on
that day. * * *
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
231.—Translation.]
Señor Moret to
Mr. Taylor.
Ministry of
State,
Palace, August 31,
1894.
Excellency: I have read, not without
surprise, in your note of the 27th instant, that the governor of the
Caroline Islands has given a decision (is of opinion “dado un
dictamen”) which, as your excellency is kind enough to inform me, is
now in the possession of the U. S. Government, by which he
recommends the return of the Methodist missionaries to Ponape. I am
surprised, because the ministry of state and perhaps not even the
ministry for the colonies, has no knowledge of such a document, and
also because a local governor is not vested with the power and
authority to perform an act of this nature. The governor-general of
the Philippine Islands, the only authority directly responsible to
the Government of the nation, is alone authorized to take such a
step, and it is upon his judgment alone that the Government could
base the decision which your excellency urges upon me with such
interest.
Nevertheless I have hastened to inform the ministry of the colonies
of the contents of your note, and have asked with urgency for all
information regarding the matter which may be in the possession of
the ministry, with the purpose of basing upon official data the
reply which I propose giving to the petition which your excellency
presents.
I avail, etc.,
