File No. 21641/5.
The Secretary of State to Chargé Harvey.
Washington , February 18, 1910 .
Mr. Knox acknowledges legation’s February 5, and instructs Mr. Harvey to ascertain if the Government of Bulgaria will look with favor upon a request for the surrender of Nalbandian purely as an act of grace, at the same time clearly and definitely indicating that the laws of the United States will not permit extending reciprocal favor; that if Bulgaria is willing to take such action to informally bring the matter to the attention of the proper officials and request the provisional arrest and detention of the fugitive as a pure act of grace, stating that the extradition papers will be forwarded immediately. Mr. Knox adds that in making the formal request the inability of the Government of the United States in the absence of treaty, to reciprocate, must be clearly set forth.