Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1903

Mr. Hay to Sir Michael Herbert.

Department of State
Washington, May 27, 1903.

My dear Mr. Ambassador: I inclose a copy of advance sheets of Consular Reports No. 1646, May 14 instant, which, on page 6, contains a résumé of the regulations in force in South Africa governing the admission of aliens into the Transvaal and Orange River colonies.

It appears from a dispatch of the 15th ultimo, sent hither by the United States consul-general at Cape Town, that many Americans who wish to go to the colonies named above receive the form of application for a permit at the British consulate in the port of the United States from which they embark. They frequently, however, do not seek and receive the other information which it is necessary for them to know in order not to be greatly inconvenienced themselves, and not to become a burden, to a greater or less extent, to the British authorities in the colonies mentioned. It appears, for instance, that not more than fifty Americans are allowed to enter the colonies in one month; that the permission to enter the colonies often is not granted for a long time, and that certain evidence of citizenship and of the possession of ample means of support, etc., is required. The result of the want of this information is that American citizens are arriving at Cape Town, and, impatient at the delay connected with the issue of their permits, do not wait until the prescribed formalities have been carried out, but enter the colonies without permission, thus violating the law, making themselves liable to punishment, and being a source of annoyance and trouble to the British authorities.

Under the circumstances the Department believes that if you were to have the kindness to instruct His Majesty’s consul-general at New York, and perhaps also the consular officers at Philadelphia, New Orleans, Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco, to inform Americans applying at their respective consulates for applications for permission to enter the colonies of the conditions imposed by His Majesty’s Government in the matter, and of the delays likely to be caused by neglecting due precautions, the violations of the law and the consequent annoyances to the British officials would be obviated, if not entirely, at least to a very great extent.

I should deem it a great favor if you had the kindness to issue such instructions, should there be no objection, at least to the consul-general at New York City, if not to the consuls at the other ports which I have enumerated.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.

[Inclosure.]

[Extract from Consular Reports No. 1646, May 14, 1903]

Permits for immigrants into the Transvaal.

Consul J. E. Proffit reports from Pretoria, March 30, 1903, that the permit regulations are still in force in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. He says:

“The report to the effect that these regulations were abolished with the raising of martial law seems to have gained wide credence among immigrants to South Africa. Especially is this true of immigrants from America who, coming to Cape Town and the other South African ports, are met with the information that permits are required for the above-named colonies. Applications for permits are then made through the consular functionary at the port and forwarded to this consulate for transmission to the chief secretary for permits. Consideration of such applications by the said official is often delayed for weeks, and the consequence is that the applicant remains at the port, where living expenses are excessively high, until such time as the permit is either granted or refused. The temptation to come into the country without awaiting the result of the application is often too strong to be resisted, and such action invariably leads to the arrest and trial of the offender, who is generally given the option of departure from the Transvaal or Orange River Colony within twenty-four hours or imprisonment for six months and a fine of £500 ($2,433).

“The number of Americans who may enter the above-named colonies in any given month is limited to fifty.

“Form of application for permit, I am advised, may be obtained at any British consulate, and to insure against delay, should be sent to this consulate, together with some evidence of applicant’s citizenship at least two weeks in advance of applicant’s departure from America.

“The permit secretary has also of late required that all applications be accompanied by an affidavit to the effect that applicant is possessed of sufficient means to support himself and family in the Transvaal or Orange River Colony.

“The applications for permits must set forth:

“The name, nationality, and full address of the applicant; if a naturalized British subject, the date of naturalization. Whether a residential or temporary permit is required; if temporary, a definite period must be stated. Number of persons and number of children under 16 years of age. Occupation of applicant; also whether he has any guaranty of employment on arrival, and by whom. Applicant must state whether he can support himself and family on arrival. Two well-known references in South Africa must be given and the point of destination stated. It will save inconvenience to passengers if the permit form (which must be completely filled out to receive attention) reaches South Africa a week in advance.”