Mr. Lenderink to Mr. Hay.
Santiago , March 25, 1901 .
Sir: I am in receipt of an application for a passport from Isadoro Solis Marrero, a native of Porto Rico, who claims to be a loyal citizen of the United States. The applicant has resided in Chile since the year 1884, and now proposes to return to Porto Rico, within two years, to perform the duties of a citizen there.
As section 7 of the act to provide revenues and a civil government for Porto Rico, approved April 12, 1900, provides “that all inhabitants continuing to reside therein, who were Spanish subjects on the 11th day of April, 1899, and then resided in Porto Rico, and their children born subsequent thereto, shall be deemed and held to be citizens of Porto Rico, and as such entitled to the protection of the United States,” I am rather doubtful whether I am authorized to issue a passport to this applicant, he not residing on the island at the time specified in the law. For that reason I beg to refer the matter to the Department for its instruction.
I have, etc.,