File No. 311.523/24b
The Secretary of State to the Spanish Ambassador
Washington , March 10, 1916 .
Excellency: The President, having learned from the correspondence between your Embassy and this Department that the Royal Government of Spain has sent to the United States a Spanish transport for the purpose of transferring to Spain the remains of certain Spanish seamen belonging to Admiral Cervera’s fleet, who died in the naval hospital at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and whose bodies were interred on Seavey Island, has directed me, as a mark of respect to the brave men who passed from life while serving their Sovereign and country, and of esteem for the gallant nation and the Royal Government which they served, to apprise you that the Government of the United States will feel honored if the Royal Government of Spain will permit it to undertake all the work of disinterment and removal of the remains of the seamen and their delivery to the officer commanding the transport at such place and at such time as your excellency may designate.
I shall be most happy to hear from you after you have received the instruction of your Government.
Accept [etc.]