Mr. Hay to Mr. Day.

No. 412.]

Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 407 of the 24th of May, and to my cabled dispatch of the 26th of May, I now have the honor to transmit a copy of a note just received from the Marquis of Salisbury, in which he informs me that he has consulted the lord chancellor and the attorney and the solicitor general in regard to our request that landing facilities at Hongkong should be granted to an American cable from Manila, and expresses his regret that as he is advised Her Majesty’s Government is not at liberty to comply with the proposal of the Government of the United States.

As you will have learned by my cable dispatch, I had anticipated this decision. My conversation with high diplomatic and legal authorities had convinced me that they could not authorize us to land a cable at Hongkong without a breach of neutrality.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.
[Inclosure.]

Lord Salisbury to Mr. Hay.

Your Excellency: You expressed to me on Monday last the desire of the United States Government that a cable should be laid from Manila to Hongkong, and requested that Her Majesty’s Government would grant landing facilities at Hongkong for that purpose. You informed me that the United States Government had been desirous of employing the agency of the Eastern Telegraph Company for the conveyance of their messages, but that the company had been compelled to refuse their application by an intimation from the Spanish Government that the concessions of the company would be forfeited if they assented to it. I have consulted the lord chancellor and the attorney and solicitor general in respect to your excellency’s communication, and regret to inform you that as I am advised Her Majesty’s Government is not at liberty to comply with the proposal of the Government of the United States.

I have, etc.,

Salisbury.