Office of the Historian

Mr. McCreery to Mr. Hay.

Embassy of the United States,
Mexico, August 3, 1903.
No. 1890.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of my letter to the collector of customs at El Paso identifying Mr. Jumpei Shinobu, who, after a residence of more than a year in Mexico as chargé d’affaires of Japan, returned to his country via El Paso and San Francisco.

The issuance of letters of this character by the embassy was approved by the Department in its No. 631, of January 18, 1902.

Mr. Shinobu writes to the minister resident of Japan in this city that on the 24th ultimo he was made to pay the alien tax at El Paso under pain of being denied entrance into the United States. It being necessary for Mr. Shinobu to embark for Japan at San Francisco on a certain date, he paid the tax under protest.

I inclose the receipt given to Mr. Shinobu for $4.75 “as alien tax imposed by the United States Government,” and signed by “D. A. Skell, conductor or agent.” At the top of the receipt are the words, “Mexican Central Railway Company, Limited,” and at the foot, “This tax must be paid each time on entering the U. S.”

It does not seem reasonable that an alien tax should be collected from a diplomatic officer of Japan returning to his country through the United States, able to identify himself, and also bearing a letter of identification from the embassy, nor is it plain that such fully identified diplomatic officer should be threatened with expulsion from the United States in case he should decline to pay said tax.

Mr. Shinobu speaks English fluently.

I have, etc.,

Fenton R. McCreery.
[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. McCreery to the collector of customs at El Paso.

Embassy of the United States,
Mexico, July 17, 1903.

Sir: This will introduce to you my friend, Hon. Jumpei Shinabu, chargé d’affaires of Japan, who, after a residence of a year and a half in Mexico, is returning to his own country by way of San Francisco.

I trust that there will be extended to Mr. Shinabu such courtesies as it is possible to extend to a duly accredited diplomatic representative of a friendly Government. Any courtesies extended to him will be greatly appreciated by me.

Very respectfully, yours,

Fenton R. McCreery,
Chargé d’affaires ad interim.
[Inclosure 2.]

Mexican Central Railway Company, Limited.

July 24, 1903.

Received of Mr. J. Shinabu $4.75 Mexican currency, for 1 person, as alien tax imposed by the United States Government. Ticket, For Mexico, number——; destination, El Paso.

D. A. Skell, Conductor or Agent.

This tax must be paid each time on entering the U. S.