File No. 701.3111/54.
Minister McGoodwin to
the Secretary of State.
[Extract.]
No. 204.]
American Legation,
Caracas,
July 5, 1914.
Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegram of
June 26, I have the honor to enclose herewith copy with translation of a
letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressing gratitude for
the marked consideration the Department has shown the Government of
Venezuela in connection with the death and funeral of its late Minister
to Washington, Señor Doctor Pedro Ezequiel Rojas. Complying with
instructions I called at the Foreign Office and expressed condolence and
later in the day paid a visit to the house of Doctor V.
Márquez-Bustillos, Provisional President and intimate personal friend of
the decedent. Both of these high officials called personally at the
Legation on the afternoon of July 3, and manifested their sincere
gratitude for the extent of the courtesies extended by the Department.
They were especially impressed by the fact that the body of the lamented
envoy is being conveyed in a warship. The chiefs of divisions and other
employees of the Foreign Office also called and each in turn placed
stress upon the generous treatment accorded by the Government of the
United States. A large number of representative citizens have voiced
this sentiment.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the Secretary of
State.
Mr. Minister: I have had the honor to
receive the official note No. 176 of June 30 last, in which your
excellency, with reference to the statements made [Page 1107] to me personally the same day in the
name of your Government concerning the lamented death of our Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington, Senor
Pedro Ezequiel Rojas, was pleased to inform me of the measures taken
by the Government of the United States for the delivery to the
Government of Venezuela of the remains of the distinguished
diplomat; and taking advantage of the same opportunity to renew your
sentiments and esteem and appreciation for the noble qualities of
Senor Rojas and phrases of condolence for so great a loss to
Venezuela.
Deeply impressed by the observations of your excellency, I must
express the profound gratitude with which the Government of
Venezuela receives these demonstrations of the Government of the
United States and of your excellency in honor of the distinguished
statesman whose conduct in representing the Venezuelan nation was
always an assurance of the continuance of the most cordial relations
between the two countries and who won for himself the exceptional
appreciation of which testimony is given on this sad occasion by the
Government of your excellency.
Requesting that your excellency will convey to the Government of the
United States these sentiments of my Government, it gives me
pleasure to reiterate on this occasion the assurances of my high and
distinguished consideration.
