815.00/1907: Telegram

The Minister in Honduras (Jones) to the Secretary of State

Your July 23, 5 p.m.6 Please refer to my telegram of July 21, 11 p.m.7 Bertrand refused to make response to statement I communicated to him in accordance with your July 20, 11 p.m., requesting that they be given in writing and I immediately cabled for your instructions. Crisis so far as concerns Legation’s protection has seemingly passed and I do not consider necessary at this time to have commanding officer of Machias here. Bertrand has made reply for blockading streets leading to Legation claiming his legal right for the capture of politicians, but has removed guards at my [Page 382] request and as he declares necessity for them no longer exists. Grounds for asylum: their declaration and my belief of imminent peril of lives. Result of asylum: exiling of those given asylum. There are no officials of present Government. Other Legations here Mexican, Salvadorean, Guatemalan, Nicaraguan. Mexican and Salvadorean Ministers are Bertrand’s advisers. Known enmity existing with Guatemala doubtless prevented application for asylum at the Legation. Nicaraguan Chargé d’Affaires absent.

Right of asylum fully sanctioned and recognized tacitly, explicitly and officially by authorities in Honduras and Bertrand said to me he would himself grant asylum to any one soliciting it and that he himself might some day have to request asylum at the Legation. British Consulate at Tegucigalpa has four refugees.

Cable [omission] revolutionists cutting wires, therefore sending cables to the Department via Machias Amapala.

Jones
  1. Not printed.
  2. See supra.