The Acting Secretary of State to Minister Collier.
Washington, August 21, 1905.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 25 of the 26th and your No. 26 of the 28th ultimo, relative to the Spanish estate swindle.
In reply I have to say that this Department has had this matter before it for fifteen or twenty years.
It has repeatedly warned the public through the press, and the matter has been brought to the attention of the Spanish Government both by this Department and the Post-Office Department. A press dispatch some months ago stated that the Spanish police had captured the gang, but their operations, as you state, still continue.
Under the laws of most of the states, it is impossible for the Spanish courts to secure evidence against the swindlers by means of letters rogatory, and there are very few of the sufferers in this country who are able or willing to go to Spain to give their evidence.
The Department has communicated the substance of your No. 25 to the press.
I am, etc.,