In connection with this matter I inclose herewith, for the consideration
of the Department, copies of two letters from the consul-general at
Barcelona which will explain Mr. Lay’s uncertainty as to the
registration of Cubans and Porto Ricans at that place.
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Lay to Mr.
Sickles.
Consulate-General of the United States,
Barcelona, June 26, 1901.
No. 45.]Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your telegram as follows:
“Pray ask for Department’s advice regarding registration of
Cubans, Porto Ricans and Filipinos.
“Sickles,”
and letter confirming same of the 15th instant.
In this connection I beg to advise you that the registration
authorities in Barcelona will ignore my visé on Spanish cedulas of
persons born in Cuba and Porto Rico who reside here, as evidence of
nationality or citzenship, and they are therefore not permitted to
register as foreigners.
I have, etc.,
Julius G. Lay, Consul-General.
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Lay to Mr.
Sickles.
Consulate-General of the United States,
Barcelona, June 26, 1901.
No. 46.]Sir: I have the honor to confirm the
following telegram sent you to-day:
“Visé on cedulas persons born in Cuba and Porto Rico ignored by
registry office here and holders of same not permitted register as
foreigners. Cabled Department 15th, but no answer. Time for
registering expires July 1. Lay.”
Before the receipt of your letter of the 15th I cabled the Department
of State stating that the registration of foreigners was required
here after they had presented themselves at their respective
consulates, and produced some evidence of their nationality, and
asking if I should visé Spanish cedulas of persons born in Cuba and
Porto Rico who reside here, and who have left those islands since
some years, and have
[Page 482]
no
evidence of intention to return except their statements. To this
telegram I have received no reply.
Although the minister informed me that cedulas of Cubans and Porto
Ricans should be viséed in accordance with instructions to the
legation No. 283 of January 16, 1901, before acting on this
information, I considered it best to clear up the point that still
remains doubtful in my mind mentioned in my letter to the legation
dated November 14, 1900, and therefore cabled the Department.
It would seem that Spaniards born in the peninsula are just as much
entitled to have their cedulas viséed as persons born in Cuba or
Porto Rico who have lived here since before the signing of the
treaty of peace, but if for some reason the Government wish to
recognize these people and visé their cedulas, that visé in my
opinon should represent something, as it does on American
passports.
Those persons who have produced Cuban and Porto Rican passports
viséed by this consulate-general have been permitted to
register.
As the Department instructions say nothing about viséing the
certificates inclosed, although they may be accepted as sufficient
evidence in Cuba of citizenship for a passport, I have refused to
visé them.
It occurs to me that there has been a misunderstanding from the first
as to what a cedula is in reality, and the Department is under the
impression that it is a Cuban or Porto Rican document. I can not
imagine how the treaty of peace has changed the status of any except
inhabitants of Cuba and Porto Rico or why we should regard natives
of Cuba or Porto Rico residing in Spain except as Spaniards. I have
treated them as such here, and I know there would be a protest if a
visé for which I am obliged to charge an official fee of $1 was
found to be worthless.
I have, etc.,
Julius g. Lay,
Consul-General.
