File No. 4500/41–42.
Ambassador Thompson
to the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
Mexico, December 18,
1907.
No. 843.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 837, of the
15th instant, I acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of yesterday’s
date on the
[Page 846]
subject of the
reciprocal advantages required by Mexico contingent to granting
permission for the American Government to station two coaling barges in
Magdalena Bay, as follows:a
A copy of my note which was sent to the foreign office on receipt of of
the above telegram is inclosed herewith. This note was addressed to Mr.
Algara, subsecretary for foreign affairs, who is at present in charge of
that department, Mr. Mariscal being ill and away from the city.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Ambassador Thompson to the Subsecretary
for Foreign Affairs of Mexico.
American Embassy,
Mexico, December 17,
1907.
Mr. Subsecretary: Referring to the note of
your department of November 16, on the subject of the privilege
desired by my Government of stationing coaling barges in Magdalena
Bay, all of which was telegraphed to Washington by Mr. Coolidge:
I now have a telegram from Mr. Root in which he regrets deeply that
action has not before been taken on this telegram, he having been
under the impression that it had been acted upon until the receipt
of my telegram of Saturday, the 14th instant.
I am instructed to say to the Government of Mexico that it is the
intention of the American Government regarding reciprocity for the
supply of Mexican war vessels, that they can remain stationed in
American waters during the same period for which that privilege is
accorded to the vessels of the United States in pursuance of our
request.
In other words, the Government of the United States will grant to
Mexico, in the event that such privileges are desired, the same that
Mexico is asked to grant to the American Government in the way of
privileges to American coaling vessels in Mexican waters.
The delay in answering your department’s note of November 16,
reported to Washington by telegraph, seems to have been caused by
referring the matter to the Navy Department, where an unexpected
delay occurred.
I avail, etc.,
