701.4112/91
The Chargé in Mexico (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 21.]
Sir: Referring to my telegram No. 198 June 4, 3 P.M. regarding the effort of the Mexican Government to expel Mr. H. A. Cunard Cummins, who is in charge of the archives of the British Legation in this capital, I have the honor to inform the Department that at the request of Mr. Cummins, who is remaining for the present within the precincts of the British Legation, I called on him there this afternoon.
[Page 448]Mr. Cummins’ purpose in requesting me to call upon him was not made clear in the course of our conversation unless it was merely for the purpose of informing me of the status of his case.
It appears that the notice to leave the country which Mr. Cummins received from the Mexican Government on June 4 contemplated his departure on June 10 and not within ten days as reported in my telegram. The period in question would therefore expire tomorrow. Mr. Cummins informed me that he had telegraphed his Government the substance of the note of June 4 from the Mexican Minister of the Interior and had received from London instructions to reply to the note mentioned and to state that while the British Government was prepared to give Mr. Cummins leave of absence upon the arrival of Mr. Hohler, whose forthcoming journey to Mexico was announced some time ago for the purpose of submitting a report to the British Government on the situation here, any action on the part of the Mexican Government looking to the expulsion of Mr. Cummins would result in the immediate cancellation of Mr. Hohler’s mission.
Mr. Cummins advised me further that about a month ago the Mexican Consul in London had complained to the British Government of the offensive tone of a note delivered by Mr. Cummins to the Mexican authorities in the case of Mrs. Rosalie Evans, a British subject whose property at San Martin de Texmelucan, Puebla, has been expropriated. He said that the British Government had informed the Mexican Consul at London that the statements made by Mr. Cummins in the note were fully justified by the facts. The British Government then obviously assumes responsibility for the note upon which, apparently, the Mexican Government seeks to base its action against Mr. Cummins.
This British official is evidently nervous as to the possibility that there may be an attempt on the part of the Mexican authorities actually to invade the British Legation, which is owned by the British Government.
Mr. Cummins seemed desirous of apprising me of the foregoing for my information, on which score I transmit it to the Department.
I have [etc.]