Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Sherman to Mr. Woodford.

[Telegram.]

Department of State,
Washington, April 4, 1898.

Congress may very possibly take decisive action middle or end of this week. You should notify the United States consul-general in Spain and cooperate with him in notifying the United States consular officers in Spain who are American citizens to arrange to leave their offices in charge of friendly power, and, if they desire, quietly prepare for departure from Spain upon notice, either special or public, of a rupture of relations.

If rupture comes you had better proceed to Paris and await further instructions.

Sherman.