Minister Powell to the Secretary of State.
Port au Prince, May 11, 1905.
Sir: I request instructions in regard to the following passage, for my guidance, in registering and granting passports to Porto Ricans:
* * * is not, within the meaning of the act of Congress of April 12, 1900, a citizen of Porto Rico and as such entitled to the protection of the United States. To bring one within the meaning and intent of that act, he must have been an inhabitant of Porto Rico, residing there April 11, 1899, and must continue to reside therein up to the date of the passage of the act.
This extract is from Department’s No. 693 of April 26.
Am I to understand that a native of Porto Rico, in order to be registered in our legation or to secure a passport, must have resided in Porto Rico on April 11, 1899, and continued his residence up to April 12, 1900? Residence before that time, or from birth, does not entitle him to our protection?
I have, etc.,