File No. 837.00/571.
[Untitled]
Sir: I have the honor to report that a committee headed by Evaristo Estenoz, representing the Independent Colored Party, called at the Palace on Friday to induce the President to agree to use his influence for the repeal of the Morúa law, which forbids the organization of negroes into a political party.
President Gómez, according to a statement issued at the Palace, informed the committee that he was disposed to aid them provided they dropped the word “Colored” from their party name. They replied that they were not prepared to accept the condition as it would prevent them from realizing “the noble ideals at which they aimed.” The President thereupon informed the committee that not only would he not aid them in obtaining the repeal of the Morúa law but would put every possible obstacle in their way. The spokesman of the committee replied that notwithstanding the opposition of the President “they would allow nothing to stand in the way of carrying out their intentions.”
Evaristo Estenoz yesterday made a statement to the press in which he declared that the Colored party was all-powerful and that no political party could hope to win at the polls without its help. He also stated that a committee of his organization “authorized by Minister Beaupre” would soon go to Washington to explain the situation to the American Government. I need hardly state that I have had no conversation with Estenoz and know nothing of his plans further than already reported in my No. 71 of the 26th ultimo.
I have [etc.]