File No. 831.55/1.
The Secretary of State to Minister McGoodwin.
Washington, February 28, 1914.
Sir: The Department has received your No. 43, of the 30th ultimo, in which you enclose a copy and translation of a decree issued by the Political and Administrative Bureau of the Federal District, requiring that foreigners entering Venezuela must present “certificates of good conduct” and “documents attesting their personal status.”
You will protest against the application of the decree to American citizens on the ground that its requirements are unreasonable in their nature. In this connection you will state that under the laws of the United States there is no jurisdiction vested in the authorities to [Page 1098] issue the certificate mentioned by the decree as a necessary prerequisite to enter into Venezuela.
I am [etc.]