File No. 21267/2–3.
Minister Sands to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Guatemala, November 1,
1909.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of
the department’s No. 5, dated October 7 last.
I have communicated the department’s view of the Guatemalan executive
decree 699, on the presumption of guilt in case of the burning of
insured premises, in a note to the foreign office.
I have, etc.,
[Page 346]
[Inclosure.]
Minister Sands
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Legation,
Guatemala, November 1,
1909.
No. 4.]
Mr. Minister: I am instructed to bring to
the attention of your excellency’s Government decree No. 699, of
July 19, 1909, providing that in case of the burning of insured
premises the beneficiaries of the insurance policy “shall be placed
in prison and shall not leave it until their innocence has been
proved.”
My Government deems this decree to be such a wide departure from
correct juridical principles and so pregnant with possibilities of
injustice that it could not view with indifference any attempt to
apply its provisions to an American citizen.
I take, etc.,
