Mr. Finch to Mr. Day.
Montevideo, May 17, 1898.
Sir: I want to invite your attention to the honorable attitude of Uruguay toward the United States with reference to the enforcement of neutrality. On receipt of the telegram from the Secretary of State announcing that war between Spain and the United States existed, and that the United States would blockade the ports of Spain, I notified the minister for foreign affairs of this Republic, with a request that the President of Uruguay issue the usual proclamation of neutrality.
In response, I received a cordial note from the minister, in which he communicated the President’s decision to enforce neutrality and enforce it fearlessly, regardless of the protests of the large Spanish colony residing in this city, said to number about seventy thousand. What I especially desire to call your attention to is the honest and energetic enforcement of the President’s proclamation and promise.
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Respectfully,