211.31/–
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Venezuela ( McGoodwin )
Sir: The Department acknowledges receipt of your despatch No. 621, of March 23, 1916,1 in which you state that it might be opportune to suggest the possible conclusion of an extradition treaty between the United States and Venezuela.
Before giving further consideration, however, to the question of the possible conclusion of an extradition treaty with the Government of Venezuela, the Department desires to be informed whether the laws of Venezuela prohibit capital punishment and if so, whether the Government of Venezuela would be disposed to insist upon the inclusion in any extradition treaty to which she might agree, of a provision taking into consideration this feature of Venezuelan law and requiring the other Government concerned to take cognizance thereof in a given case.
I am [etc.]
- Not printed.↩