Mr. Powell to Mr. Hay.
Santo Domingo City, April 12, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to state a Porto Rican, named Maximo Mongé, engaged in business in Azua, one of the places where the recent disturbance occurred, was sent by the military governor of that district to the capital a prisoner, charged as being one of the participators in the recent troubles at that place. Upon his arrival the Government gave to him his liberty with order that he should report daily to the military authorities. He called upon the consul-general, Mr. C. L. Maxwell, stating that he had been illegally arrested, that he had not broken the laws of the Republic, and knew no reason why the authorities should take him from his home and business and send him here. Mr. Maxwell referred him to your representative. After hearing his statement I addressed a note to the minister of foreign relations requesting that he furnish me the cause that led to his arrest and upon what charge he was held. The minister immediately replied, stating that Mongé had been sent to the capital, as he was engaged in the recent disturbance there, and requesting that he be not allowed to return. I afterwards called upon the minister and learned from him that meetings of an insurrectionary character had been held at his (Mongé’s) house, and that he had been an active agent between certain persons now in prison from that place who had been engaged in the attempt to overthrow the present government; that he had been cautioned by the military authorities in regard to these meetings, and that he had replied nothing could be done with him, as he was a Porto Rican and under the protection of our Government. Finding he would not discontinue his efforts in this direction he was arrested and sent here, and, as I have stated, released upon the promise that he would daily report to the military authorities. The minister also informed me that it was the intention of the Government to send him from the Republic. I am inclined to believe the statement made to me to be true.
As all trouble in that direction is about over, I have requested of the minister to allow him to return to his family. This he has agreed to do after affairs become more tranquil in that section. He will possibly be required to remain here a few weeks longer, and then be allowed to return. I was also informed at this interview that a number of Porto Ricans were engaged in this insurrection, some entering the ranks of the insurgents, and requested to know of me if my Government would protect them in such a case. I have informed him that my Government did not seek to protect those engaged in rebellion against his Government. I requested of him to ascertain before taking such measures if such reports concerning these persons were true; if so, my Government would not interpose any objection to them carrying into execution their proposed action.
I have, etc.,