Mr. Moore to Mr. Cambon.
Washington, September 6, 1898.
By a note of the 29th ultimo, the French embassy communicated to the Department of State a report received from the Spanish Government to the effect that the families of the officers of the garrison of the archipelago of the Ladrones were in a state of destitution; and the embassy was so good as to say that the Spanish Government was confident that as soon as the attention of the Department was called to the painful situation, the United States would act in accordance with the feelings of humanity and the responsibility it had assumed in sending those officers to Manila, and would take the necessary steps to have their families sent to Cavite.
Immediately upon the receipt of the note of the embassy, the Department, desirous of heeding every dictate of humanity, caused inquiries to be made as to the situation of the families in question. A reply to those inquiries has just been received, in the form of a telegram from Admiral Dewey, dated at Manila on the 5th instant. Admiral Dewey states that the families of the Spanish officers are still at Guam, and that, according to the testimony of all the United States naval officers who have visited the island, the reports of their destitution are wholly groundless.
The Spanish governor informed Captain Glass that all the families were provided for before leaving. When the Monterey and Monadnock were there they found no signs of destitution and heard no complaints. Spanish officers now held as prisoners at Manila received letters from Guam by both vessels, and in these letters no mention was made of any destitution. It further appears that Spanish officers at Guam are still collecting taxes, and are able to relieve any want.
Mr. J. B. Moore takes this occasion to renew to his excellency, Mr. Jules Cambon, the assurances of his highest consideration.