File No. 353.117R33/3.
The American Consulate at Michael’s to the Secretary of State.1
St. Michael’s, July 16, 1913.
Sir: I have the honor to advert to my despatch No. 721 of October 17, 1912, and the Department’s reply thereto dated May 7, 1913, endosinga [Page 1299] copy of a despatch No, 108 of April 22, 1913, from the Legation at Lisbon, setting forth the substance of the Chargé d’Affaires’ interview with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon the subject of Portuguese officials in the Azores attempting to impose military obligations upon certain American citizens.
I note what is written in the despatch from the Legation at Lisbon, particularly the paragraph requesting a report if the evils complained of are not corrected, et cetera.
In our mail from the islands to-day there are a number of complaints and petitions for some form of document or certificate over my seal and signature by which they can prove their boys are American citizens. Two of the cases are from the island of Flores. One Felipe de Mendça (Consular case No. 377) complains that the authorities have posted his son’s name on the church door, and he is to be fined if the boy does not report for inspection. This boy, João Felipe de Mendonça, embarked on emergency passport No. 546, issued to him September 17, 1911, and has fixed permanent residence in Marin County, California. The second case from Flores is from José Pimentel Braz. Mr. Braz was born in the United States and his case was reported to the Department in despatch No. 575 dated July 20, 1911.
These complaints appear to indicate that the authorities at Flores are still active in imposing fines on boys we recognize as American citizens, and I am reporting the matter for consideration and appropriate reference.
I have [etc.]
- Acknowledged August 1, 1913.↩