Mr. Pringle to Mr.
Sherman.
Legation of the United States, Guatemala and
Honduras,
Guatemala, July 31,
1897.
No. 148.]
Sir: I beg leave to report to you that I
received a note yesterday from the minister of foreign affairs,
informing me that the President had seen fit to withdraw the exequatur
of Mr. Florentin Souza, United States consular agent at Champerico.
I confess that I was somewhat surprised. I think that a more courteous
way of getting rid of a consular officer might have been employed. As to
what the charges against him are, up to the present time I have not the
slightest idea.
I will authorize Mr. S. F. Lord to act as consular agent for the
present.
I wired Mr. Souza, asking him if he knew why the action had been taken.
In his reply, which 1 received this morning, he states positively that
he knows no cause for such action, and requests that I will investigate
[Page 337]
the matter. I inclose
copies of all the correspondence, and will send copy of the minister’s
reply to my note as soon as received.
Meanwhile, I refrain from expressing any opinion until I am in possession
of all the facts.
I have the honor, etc.,
D. Lynch Pringle,
Charge d’Affaires.
[Inclosure 1 in No.
148.—Translation.]
Mr. Munoz to
Mr. Pringle.
Palacio Nacional,
Guatemala, July 29,
1897.
Honorable Sir: I have the honor to transmit
to you the order issued yesterday:
The President of the Republic has ordered the exequatur of
Mr. Florentin Souza, United States consular agent, in the
port of Champerico, withdrawn.
Let it be known.
Reyna Barrios.
Jorge Munoz,
The Secretary of State.
I embrace this opportunity, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
148.]
Mr. Pringle to
Mr. Munoz.
Legation of the United States, Guatemala and
Honduras,
Guatemala, July 30,
1897.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note dated yesterday, the 29th.
I am obliged to confess that it has caused me some surprise, as I am
unaware of any cause for the withdrawal of the exequatur of Mr.
Florentin Souza, United States consular agent at Champerico.
Will your excellency kindly furnish me with the reason for this
action on the part of His Excellency the President?
May I request you to furnish me with the information at your earliest
convenience. I will place Mr. Samuel F. Lord in charge of the United
States consular agency for the present.
I embrace this opportunity, etc.,
D. Lynch Pringle,
Chargé d’Affaires ad
interim.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
148.—Telegram.]
Mr. Pringle to
Mr. Souza.
Have received notice from minister of foreign affairs that your
exequatur has been withdrawn by the President of this Republic.
Please inform me at once if you know the cause for this action.
Pringle.
(Sent Friday afternoon, July 30,
1897, about 2.30 p.m.)
[Page 338]
[Inclosure 4 in No.
148.—Telegram.]
Mr. Souza to
Mr. Pringle.
Retalhuleu, July 30,
1897.
(Received in Guatemala at 7.30
p.m.)
I am very much surprised to learn, by your telegram of this date,
that my exequatur has been withdrawn, and I have not the slightest
idea of what can be the cause for said action.
I am perfectly sure that I have not given the least cause in any way
or manner, and beg you, in consideration of my many years of service
to the United States, to obtain a full and proved explanation of the
reasons.
