File No. 339.41/4.
The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Dear Mr. Secretary: Sir E. Grey telegraphs to me that the Samana and Santiago Railway Company (of Santo Domingo) are in some anxiety as to the position of their employees. His Majesty’s Representative in San Domingo does not believe that British life and property is at present in actual danger in the ports of Samana Bay, but he says that damage has been inflicted on the railway in the interior and that the district is very unsettled. He adds that the United States ship Castine has probably arrived by now in Samana Bay for the protection of life and property and that men may be landed from her if necessary.
In view of the above Sir E. Grey desires me to say that His Majesty’s Government would much appreciate the kindness of the United States Government if they could be so good as to instruct the Castine to afford protection to British life and property, should the necessity arise.
[Page 263]As the matter is of some urgency, I should be very grateful if you could let me know at your earliest convenience whether it would be possible to send instructions in this sense to the Castine.
Believe me [etc.]