701.4112/88: Telegram
The Chargé in Mexico (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:51 p.m.]
226. My telegrams numbers 224, 225 last night. With a view to avoiding embarrassing situation which might arise from noncompliance on the part of Cummins with the demand of the Mexican Government that he depart by 7 this evening, and in view of material impossibility of carrying out final arrangements for delivery to me of the British Legation’s archives and effects before that time, I have just called Subsecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and asked whether it would not be possible to grant an extension so that I can carry out my instructions with due completeness as well as obtain supplementary instructions already requested as to details of the transfer.
Subsecretary informed me that Chilean Minister as dean of the diplomatic corps had given guarantee yesterday that Cummins had promised to leave tonight though Cummins denies this and Chilean Minister does not admit having given such guarantee.
I pointed out to Subsecretary that in any case a new [situation?] arose upon arrival of my instructions to take over British Legation and I reiterated material impossibility of closing up affairs in the time given adding that as we were all agreed that Cummins should withdraw it seemed inexpedient to make a special point of the exact moment of his withdrawal. Subsecretary, after consulting Minister for Foreign Affairs who has been unable to receive me, promised to [Page 453] let me know his decision as soon as President could be consulted in the matter.
One p.m. I am just informed by Subsecretary of State for Foreign Affairs that out of consideration for this Embassy time limit for Cummins’ departure is extended to 7 o’clock tomorrow, Friday evening. Cummins informed.