Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Draper to Mr. Hay.

Embassy of the United States,
Rome, Italy, October 11, 1898.

No. 301.]

Sir: I have the honor to state that in my dispatch No. 124, of February 17, 1898, I inclosed a note from the Italian foreign office, in which the request was made that the consular and Italian governmental inspections of immigrants might be simultaneously made at the ports of Palermo and Genoa, as well as at Naples, where that course has since been adopted.

Just before sailing on my leave of absence, June 24, I received another note from the foreign office on this subject, dated June 20, a copy of which I inclose, with translation. This note I referred to in the following language in my dispatch No. 237, of June 22, 1898:

I have the honor to inform you that the Italian Government desires an extension to the United States consuls at Genoa and Palermo of the Order No. 19, of May 27 last, to Mr. Byington, consul of Naples, in reference to immigrants’ inspection.

During my absence two other notes have been received in regard to this subject, but Mr. Iddings, chargé, thought best to await my return before making further communications concerning it. In consequence, perhaps, of my dispatch of June 22, above mentioned, Mr. de Castro, the consul-general, was ordered to make an inspection of the consulates, particularly in regard to questions concerning immigration; and he informs me that he has reported at length to the Department. As the question has been open for some time, however, I have asked him to report to me in brief whether, as a result of his inspection, he would recommend that the plan now adopted at the port of Naples for simultaneous inspections, be also, on our part, adopted for the ports of Genoa and Palermo. His letter to me on this subject you will find inclosed. From the facts that have come to my knowledge, including the report of Mr. de Castro, I join in his recommendation that similar instructions be given for the ports of Genoa and Palermo in regard to the inspection of immigrants and their luggage.

I am, etc.,

William F. Draper.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 301.—Translation.]

The Marquis Cappelli to Mr. Draper.

Rome, June 20, 1898.

Mr. Ambassador:

I thank your excellency for the communication made me in the note of the 10th instant, concerning the inspections to be made of the luggage of emigrants to the United States, of which I will immediately inform the royal ministry of the navy, and will make his answer known to you.

In the meanwhile I beg your excellency to tell me whether the Government of the confederation intends to have the enactment adopted for the port of Naples extended also to the ports of Genoa and Palermo, according to the proposal which my predecessor made to your excellency in his note of the 24th of January last.

Pray accept, etc.,

R. Cappelli.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 301.]

Mr. de Castro to Mr. Draper.

Rome, October 11, 1898.

Sir: In consequence of the thorough examination I made of the emigration question at the United States consulates of Naples, Palermo, and Genoa, and upon which I have reported at length to the State Department, I would recommend that the inspection of emigrants by the United States consular officers at the port of Genoa and Palermo be also made, as suggested by the Italian Government, simultaneously with inspection performed by the local police and health department authorities, or at least in accord with them.

This I suggest more in view of giving to our consular officers an opportunity of witnessing the inspection made by the local police at the above-named ports, and to ascertain that no emigrant be allowed to embark who does not fill the requirements of the United States laws and regulations relating to emigration.

I am, etc.,

Hector de Castro,
Consul-General.