Mr. Draper to Mr. Day.
Rome, Italy, April 2, 1898.
Sir: I beg leave to inform you that this morning the minister of foreign affairs called my attention to a dispatch which he had received from his chargé at Washington, and which was substantially as follows:
That our Treasury Department had given notice that it withdrew its consent to the continuance of the Italian immigration bureau at Ellis Island said withdrawal to take effect on the 18th of April.
This bureau, I am informed, was created to aid in the protection of immigrants against the system of “padrones,” and it is also said that after four years of experience it is not considered by the Treasury Department to have attained its end. The Marquis Visconti Venosta was very much surprised and disturbed by the reception of this notice, without more definite reason being assigned and without opportunity being given for modification or explanation. He stated that if in any way the bureau was not found to operate well he would be glad to assent to any suitable modifications of its work or manner of operation. He added that he might not object to its abolition if reasons were given him a sufficient time in advance, but that a notice to quit within fifteen days, without opportunity to discuss or even understand the reasons, seemed to him at least unusual. He remarked that if the change were insisted upon in the manner above stated it would produce a disagreeable impression upon the public here.
I told him that, of course, I knew nothing of the reasons, but was sure that there could be no intention of wounding the sensibilities of a friendly nation, and that I would immediately make suitable representations to the State Department. Unless there is very important reason for the action, therefore, it seems to me wiser to propose modifications rather than to refuse to permit the bureau to exist longer; and even if its longer existence is objectionable to us, could not sufficient time be given to explain the reasons to the Italian Government?
The Marquis Visconti Venosta declared that he had supposed that the arrangement was working well; that he had no interest in the general subject of emigration different from ours; that he was anxious to act harmoniously with us in that matter; and that he had recommended to other American States the plan which he had supposed was doing so well at Ellis Island.
I telegraphed to you on this subject this afternoon and presume I shall have received reply before you have this.
I have, etc.,