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

Mr. Finch to Mr. Hay.

American Legation,
Montevideo, Uruguay, January 9, 1904.

No. 708.]

Sir: Francisco C. Estrazulas was born in Philadelphia in 1885, while the father, an Oriental, was temporarily residing there. With his parents he returned to Uruguay when very young, where he has since resided and where, so far as he now knows, he intends to reside.

Is he entitled to a passport? If forced into the Uruguayan army could his release be demanded by the United States representative in Montevideo because of his birth in the United States?

Since the Uruguayan Government began, about two weeks since, mobilizing the militia I have received numerous applications for what are called “protection papers” for sons born of alien fathers in the United States and residing in Uruguay. Italy, Spain, England, and other countries give such papers to persons born in those countries, and the American-born seem to think their issuance discretionary with me. * * *

Respectfully,

William R. Finch.