Mr. Adee to Mr. Taylor.
Washington, August 2, 1897.
Sir: Your telegraphic dispatch of July 28 was duly received, reading, when deciphered, as follows:
Minister for foreign affairs has promised to further investigate Chaqueilo case; knows nothing of death sentence.
[Page 524]Subsequently, on the afternoon of the 30th ultimo, a telegram on the subject was received from Consul-General Lee and has been communicated to you to-day, in part cipher, as follows:
Taylor,
American Minister, San
Sebastian, Spain:
Referring to Department dispatch No. 729, consul-general at Havana telegraphs final sentence not pronounced; case referred to supreme court war and marine, Madrid. Lee does not advise at present pressing for decision. You should not, however, cease to express interest in a favorable outcome.
Adee, Acting.
A full report of the proceedings at the trial of Fernandez Chaqueilo on the 22d ultimo has not yet been received from Havana. In a telegram of that date General Lee reported that the “fiscal” had demanded the death penalty.
The instructions heretofore sent you will have advised you that the Department is not pressing, as General Lee supposes, for an immediate decision, but is interposing its kindly offices, and if need be its remonstrances, against any action, speedy or tardy, whereby this Government may be deprived of important testimony necessary for the substantiation of its claims in the case of Charles Govin. It is this aspect of the case that you are expected to keep discreetly in view in your conferences with the minister of state upon the subject.
Respectfully yours,
Acting Secretary.