Mr. Hay to Señor Quesada.
Washington, July 16, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 28th ultimo, in which, under the instructions of your department, you ask to be informed of the purport and scope of the authority given by the United States Government to its consular officers for the temporary protection of Cuban interests abroad.
I have the honor to say in reply that the Department is preparing instructions which will be communicated to you.
In general it may be said that the authorization given to the consuls does not empower them to act as agents of Cuba under the instructions of the Cuban Government, but to use good offices, as intermediaries, in all matters affecting Cuban citizens, reporting to this Department, which in turn communicates with the Cuban Government. Any requests of the Cuban Government for consular action on behalf of Cuban interests, upon being addressed to this Department, will be communicated to the respective United States consuls for appropriate action.
Accept, etc.,