702.1211/2127a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Governor of Illinois (Emmerson)

The Department has just been informed by the Mexican Embassy at this capital that the Mexican Consul at Chicago is under arrest by order of Judge Thomas Green of the Municipal Court South Chicago. In this relation reference is made to following provisions of Section 256 of the Judicial Code of the United States:

“The jurisdiction vested in the courts of the United States in the cases and proceedings hereinafter mentioned, shall be exclusive of the courts of the several States:21

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

‘Eighth, Of all suits and proceedings against Ambassadors, or other public ministers, or their domestics or domestic servants, or against consuls or vice consuls’”.

It will be greatly appreciated if you will investigate this reported arrest and take the steps necessary to effect the release of the Mexican Consul and advise me regarding the result. A reply by telegraph will be appreciated.

William R. Castle, Jr.
  1. The following omission indicated in the original telegram.