Mr. Clayton to Mr.
Sherman.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico, April 30,
1898.
No. 399.]Sir: I have the honor to inform you that my
note, dated the 26th instant, informing the foreign office that a state
of war exists between the United States and Spain (inclosure No. 2 in my
No. 390), and Mr. Mariscal’s reply of the same date, informing me of the
neutrality of Mexico (inclosure No. 2 in my No. 393), were published in
the Diario Oficial of the 26th instant. On the 28th instant the Diario
Oficial published my note of the 23d instant, informing the foreign
office of the
[Page 884]
blockade of the
ports on the north coast of Cuba (inclosure No. 2 in my No. 380), and
Mr. Mariscal’s reply of the same date (inclosure No. 2 in my No. 394);
and my note of the 27th instant, informing the foreign office of the
policy of the United States regarding privateering, neutral goods,
neutral flag, and blockades (inclosure No. 2 in my No. 392), together
with Mr. MariscaPs reply of the same date, copy and translation herewith
inclosed.
I have the honor to inclose copy and translation of a circular sent by
the Secretary of the Interior to the governors of the various States of
Mexico, enjoining the strictest neutrality, and published in the Diario
Oficial of the 26th instant.
On the 27th instant the Diario Oficial published the circular issued by
the Secretary of the Treasury, copy and translation inclosed, enjoining
the strictest neutrality upon the part of the officials and employees of
his department.
On yesterday the Diario Oficial published the circular, copy and
translation inclosed, issued by the minister of justice and public
instruction, calling upon all persons connected with his department to
observe the strictest neutrality.
I have, etc.,
circular of secretary op the interior to the
governors.
Department of the Interior,
Section 2.
[From Diario Oficial, April 26, 1898.]
Circular No. 1233.
Judging from the latest cablegrams an outbreak of hostilites between
the United States and Spain seems inevitable. The Government of
Mexico, which during the events preceding the present situation has
taken especial care to maintain for itself and the country the
strictest neutrality, proposes now, more than ever, to change in no
way its rule of conduct, and while it has the greatest confidence in
the good sense of the Mexican people and in the discretion,
aptitude, and patriotism of the several State governments, it
believes, nevertheless, considering the gravity of the situation, in
recommending to them as matter of the greatest importance, that
efforts be redoubled so that in no way this strict neutrality may be
violated. In this sense the President of the Republic has instructed
me to address you, as well as the governors of the other States, to
communicate the foregoing resolution, that it may be made known to
the inhabitants, and especially to the officials and the employees
under them, that the necessary steps may be taken to enforce
compliance therewith; it being expected of your well-known high
character that you will use your best efforts in seconding the
elevated views of the Executive, repressing with firmness any
contrary intent, with the object of avoiding, in official and
private acts, any demonstration that is not in accordance with the
attitude which Mexico must observe in the lamentable conflict
between two friendly nations; also avoiding or suppressing, when not
possible to so avoid, collisions between the sympathizers of the two
contending countries.
Liberty and constitution.
Gonzales Coseo.
Mexico, April 22,
1898.
circular issued by the secretary of the
treasury.
Department of the Treasury and
Public Credit, Third
Section.
[From Diario Oficial, April 27, 1898.]
In the deplorable conflict that has recently broken out between two
nations friendly to Mexico, the Government of the Republic will
observe, in compliance with its international duties, the strictest
neutrality, and orders all public employees to conform to this
order.
[Page 885]
Therefore the President of the Republic has ordered that this
Department make known this order to its employees, that they may
scrupulously abstain from acts or manifestations departing from the
reserved and impartial attitude which, in view of the said conflict,
the people and Government of Mexico should observe.
The patriotism and discretion of the employees is relied upon to
bring about exact compliance with the order which I communicate to
you; but if, unfortunately, it be disobeyed, the corresponding
administrative punishment will be inflicted without prejudice to
whatever other punishment may be required in the case.
Kindly acknowledge the receipt.
Limantour.
Mexico, April 27,
1898.
circular of minister of justice.
[From Diario Oficial, April 26, 1898.]
Department of Justice and Public
Instruction.
Under this date this department has issued the following
circular:
In the deplorable conflict that has recently begun between two
nations friendly to Mexico, the Government of the Republic will
observe, in compliance with its international duties, the strictest
neutrality, and orders all public employees to conform to this
order.
Therefore the President of the Republic has ordered that this
department make known this order to its employees, that they may
scrupulously abstain from any acts or manifestations departing from
the reserved and impartial attitude which, in view of the said
conflict, the people and Government of Mexico should observe.
The patriotism and discretion of the employees is relied upon to
effect an exact compliance with the order which I communicate to
you; but if, unfortunately, it be disobeyed, the corresponding
administrative penalty will be inflicted without preventing, in any
way, other punishment that the case may require.
And by order of the President of the Republic I have the honor to
notify the supreme court in order that it may be brought to the
knowledge of the functionaries and employees of the judicial branch
of the federation, and compliance with it recommended.
Liberty and constitution.
J. Baranda.
Mexico, April 27,
1898.
