Office of the Historian
  1. Home
  2. Historical Documents
  3. Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898
  4. Document 897

Mr. Hay to Mr. Day.

American Embassy,
London, June 7, 1898.
No. 418.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your cabled instruction of yesterday in regard to the Manila and Hongkong cable, and to inclose copies of it, as well as of my reply of this date.

In obedience to your instruction, I had an interview to-day with the Marquis of Tweeddale, the chairman of the company operating the above-mentioned cable. He could see no means of complying with our desire to send dispatches from Manila to Hongkong, in face of the [Page 978] formal prohibition of the Spanish Government, without the risk of forfeiting their concession. He said he had already asked permission to take the telegrams of both sides, but that this had been refused. He concluded by saying that the direction of the company could not be justified in endangering the interests of their shareholders by defying the orders of the Spanish authorities, unless they were secured by a formal guaranty of the United States against all losses which might thereby result, including those arising from a forfeiture of their concession.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

John Hay.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 418—Telegram.]

Mr. Day to Mr. Hay.

Department of State,
Washington, June 6, 1898.

Can arrangements be made confidentially with British company owning cable from Manila to Hongkong for use of same by United States authorities?

Day.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 418—Telegram.]

Mr. Hay to Mr. Day.

American Embassy,
London, June 7, 1898.

In obedience to your instructions, I have seen Lord Tweeddale. He sees no way to take our telegrams in face of formal prohibition of Spanish Government. Spain has refused his offer to take dispatches of both sides. He could suggest no means of getting over the Spanish prohibition, except our guaranteeing the company against all resulting losses, including forfeiture of concession.

* * * * * * *

Hay.