Mr. Allen to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Seoul, June 3,
1902.
No. 472.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt on the 25th ultimo of your cablegrama in regard to the
matter of obtaining permission for the consuls of the United States to
attend to the interests of Cuba and its citizens pending the
establishment of Cuban consulates.
I at once addressed acting foreign minister as per inclosed copy of my
letter.
After much delay I received a reply merely acknowledging the receipt of
my letter.
This dispatch I returned with the explanation that as I had asked for
permission for United States consular officers to act, I must have a
definite statement as to whether such permission is granted. This
brought a satisfactory reply, a copy of which I inclose, in which
permission is granted.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Allen to
the acting minister for foreign
affairs.
Legation of the United States,
Seoul, May
28, 1902.
Your Excellency: I am informed by telegraph
by my Government that the President of Cuba asks the Government of
Korea to permit the United States consular officers within its
jurisdiction to use their good offices in representation of the
interests of Cuba and of its citizens until Cuban consuls shall have
been appointed, and I am instructed to ask that this permission be
granted.
You will remember that Cuba revolted against the dominion of Spain
and the United States went to war with the latter country in order
to end the revolution and free Cuba. After the close of the war the
United States assisted Cuba in preparing for the establishment of a
free and independent government. This has now been accomplished, and
the first President, Estrada Palma, having been duly elected, was
inaugurated on the 20th instant, at which time the troops and
officials of the United States were withdrawn from the Island
Republic.
Pending the conclusion of foreign treaties, it is evidently the wish
of the Cuban Government that the United States consular officials
should attend to Cuban interests abroad.
I take this opportunity, etc.,
[Page 737]
[Inclosure 2.]
The acting minister for
foreign affairs to Mr. Allen.
Foreign Office, May
29, 1902.
Your Excellency: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter in which you inform me that
the Cuban Government asked the United States Government to have the
American consuls under its jurisdiction protect the rights of Cuban
citizens; that you have been instructed by your Government to ask
permission from the Korean Government for the exercise of these
functions by the United States consuls in Korea, and you relate the
history of the establishment of the Cuban Government as a republic,
by the assistance of the United States.
I beg to inform you that Cuba shall have equal treatment with other
nations as she now has the right of independence. However, no treaty
between Cuba and Korea has been made. Therefore, consular officers
can not be established at present. But the American consular
officers are empowered to protect the rights of Cuban citizens,
under their jurisdiction, and the Korean Government grants the same
right according to custom.
I have, etc.,