Office of the Historian

File No. 831.55/3.

Minister McGoodwin to the Secretary of State.

[Extract]
American Legation,
Caracas, April 11, 1914.

Sir: With reference to the Department’s unnumbered instruction of February 28, 1914, regarding the publication of a decree [etc.], I have the honor to report that in answer to my formal protest against the application of this decree to citizens of the United States for the reason that under the laws of the United States there is no jurisdiction vested in the authorities to issue the certificate mentioned by the decree as a necessary prerequisite to enter into Venezuela, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has made reply, copy of which, with translation, is enclosed herewith.

In private conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs I reiterated the protest, as instructed by the Department, and was told by the Minister that the application of Article 20 of the Law upon Foreigners, first promulgated by President Ciprianao Castro, had been invoked as a precaution against the promiscuous entry of alleged revolutionary agents and that it was intended for no other purpose.

I have [etc.]

Preston McGoodwin
.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Minister McGoodwin.

Caracas, April 8, 1914.

Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to receive your excellency’s official communication No. 114 of the 3rd instant.

In it I note that there exists in the United States no jurisdiction whatever to issue the certificate of good conduct referred to in the last part of Article 20 of the Law which defines the duties and rights of foreigners in Venezuela, issued and promulgated in April, 1903; on which account the Government of the United States could not accept the application of this formality to American citizens.

I have to add, however, that as it is a matter of a law of this Republic, it is not incumbent upon me to discuss the provision in question, and I limit myself to taking note of the matter and the details regarding it in the communication of your excellency.

I avail [etc.]

Manuel Diaz Rodirguez
.