File No. 3294/4.

The Secretary of State to Ambassador McCormick .

No. 245.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 204, of the 24th ultimo, reporting your action in the case of Mr. F. L. Jacobs, detained at Marseille at the request of the Argentine Republic.

The department approves your note to the French minister of foreign affairs. You will continue your efforts in behalf of Mr. Jacobs. If he is still under arrest you will ascertain by what law of France he is still deprived of his liberty. Mr. Jacobs stated in his letter that the Argentine consul at Marseille informed him that [Page 413] neither he nor the Argentine minister at Paris had any knowledge (presumably official) of his detention. If this be so, the department; fails to understand how this case is assimilated to the Malavio case, in which latter this department has been acting in the usual official manner in accordance with the provisions of our extradition treaty with France.

The department has no knowledge of any existing extradition treaty between France and the Argentine Republic. If there is one in force, it would be glad to be advised of such fact.

I inclose, for your information, copy of a lettera from Mr. Jacobs, written from the St. Pierre prison at Marseille.

I am, etc.,

E. Root.
  1. Not printed.