702.0021/2
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Cali (Chapman)
Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 12, dated August 29, 1928,19 reporting the organization of a consular corps at Cali. It is noted that a committee has been appointed to draft a memorial to the Governor of the Department of Valle, to be signed by all members of the Corps, requesting the Governor to apprise the proper authorities at Bogotá of the deficiencies of the authorities at Buenaventura20 and the desire of the corps to have steps taken to remedy them.
In general, the Department does not approve of the participation by American consular officers in joint representations to authorities of foreign governments, except in very special circumstances and after the Department has granted specific authority in each case. An exception to the latter rule might be made in the presence of circumstances constituting an emergency, as, for example, when foreign lives and property are in actual and imminent danger and it is the judgment of the officer that immediate joint action is necessary.
It is desired that consular officers reserve complete liberty of action at all times and the Department considers that in general the prestige and effectiveness of the Service can best be maintained by independent action.
It is suggested that your conduct as member and Dean of the Consular Corps at Cali should conform with the foregoing.
I am [etc.]