Mr. Leishman to Mr.
Sherman.
United
States Legation,
Berne,
Switzerland, April 27,
1898.
No. 73.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy
and translation of letter just received from President Ruffy
acknowledging the receipt of my note of yesterday communicating to the
Swiss Government the
[Page 900]
proclamation of the President declaring the existence of a state of
war—in accordance with your cable instructions. And although there could
be little or no doubt as to the position of the Swiss Confederation,
whose past history has always been one of strict neutrality, considering
the gravity of the situation I deem best to advise you promptly of the
delivering of notification and substance of reply, and have consequently
cabled you as follows:
Sherman, Washington:
Swiss Government in acknowledging receipt of note advises
faithful to her traditions, will maintain strict neutrality.
Leishman.
Which I now beg leave to confirm,
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Mr. Minister: By note of April 26, your
excellency kindly informed us that a state of war between the United
States and Spain commenced on April 21, the day on which the Spanish
Government made known to the minister of the United States at Madrid
that it would consider the resolution of Congress, approved on the
20th of April, equivalent to a declaration of war, and that it had
accordingly withdrawn its minister from Washington and terminated
diplomatic relations.
Your excellency desires to be assured with regard to the neutrality
of the Swiss Government during the war which has just broken
out.
In thanking your excellency most warmly for these kind
communications, the Federal Council gives you the assurance that
Switzerland, faithful to her traditions, will observe in the war
which has just broken out between the United States and Spain the
strictest neutrality.
Please accept, etc.,
In the name of the Swiss Federal Council, the President of the
Confederation,
The Chancellor of the Confederation,
