Mr. Soler to Mr. Adee.
Washington, August 5, 1897.
Mr. Secretary: As I had the honor to inform your excellency in person this morning, this legation has confidential information that a filibustering expedition intends to leave New York on Saturday, the 7th instant, and likewise knows that there exists in the said city of New York a deposit of arms and accouterments to be shipped and to form part of the expedition to which I refer.
Although I can not furnish your excellency with any more precise details at this moment, still, in view of the fact that there is not at present any vessel of the American Navy at New York, and that consequently there are no easy means of preventing the departure of expeditions, I venture to call your excellency’s attention to the subject, and to request that, with all the haste that the case demands, the most suitable measures may be taken to watch and, at the proper moment, seize such vessel or vessels as, with criminal intent, are attempting to violate the neutrality laws.
To this end, and without loss of time, I shall communicate to your excellency, as soon I learn them, all possible details on the subject, for the better guidance-of the American Government, and I now give the foregoing information in advance to enable your excellency to take the necessary steps for the attainment of the object in view.
I avail myself, etc.,
First Secretary of Legation.