Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1904

Mr. Hay to Mr. Gummeré.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

Department of State,
Washington, June 9, 1904.

(Mr. Hay informs Mr. Gummeré that while the President desires everything possible to be clone to secure the release of Mr. Perdicaris, the United States is not to be put in the position of guaranteeing any concessions made by the Sultan to the bandits. It should be clearly understood that if Mr. Perdicaris should be murdered, the life of the murderer will be demanded, and in no case will the United States be a party to any promise of immunity for his crime. Anything which may be regarded as an encouragement to brigandage or blackmail should be avoided in the negotiations.)