Mr. Smythe to Mr. Gresham.
Port an Prince , January 14, 1895 . (Received Jan. 28.)
Sir: In a long interview with the secretary of foreign relations at this legation on the 7th instant Mr. Faine conveyed to me the impression, not only by his words, but his manner also, that it would be his pleasure as well as his duty to make a speedy disposition of all matters pending between his department and this legation. In that interview allusion was made to the affair of Wiener, and the secretary said that his Government would insist on the absolute right of expulsion as indicated in the dispatches of his predecessor, but hoped that the question might be determined if I would accept permission for Wiener’s return under the same conditions accorded to the French minister, who “had made in effect the same demand.” It seems from what the French minister has said to me that he accepted this permission to return with the guaranty on his part of the good behavior of the parties after their return. I am not clear as to the exact nature of this guaranty, and would not like to make an unqualified promise to this effect on behalf of Mr. Wiener or anyone in fact of whom I know so little.
I presume that the Department is in possession of my last dispatch, and will have a full detail of the aspect the case has assumed. I shall be pleased to have any farther instructions you may see fit to give me, especially as to whether my first instructions may be modified in any particular, and as to whether Wiener would be satisfied with permission to return on condition of refraining from any participation in political affairs.
I am, etc.,