Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1907, (In two parts), Part I

File No. 5121/1–4.

Chargé Vignaud to the Secretary of State.

American Embassy,
Paris, March 14, 1907.

No. 6.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your cable of the 13th instant, directing that the sympathy of the President and the sorrow of the American people be conveyed to the President of the French Republic on the occasion of the loss of the battle ship Jena and the death of so many brave sailors, which instruction was at once complied with.

I inclose herewith copies of your cable, of my note to M. Pichon, and of his reply.

I have, etc.,

Henry Vignaud.

[Inclosure 1.]

Chargé Vignaud to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

American Embassy,
Paris, March 13, 1907.

The Secretary of State of my Government directs me to convey to the President of the Republic the expression of heartfelt sympathy of the President and the American nation for the terrible catastrophe which has just befallen the French nation in its navy.

The misfortune which has caused the loss of one of the finest vessels of the French fleet and the death of so many brave sailors, has also deeply moved the members of this embassy, and in praying your excellency to make known the sentiments which have animated Mr. Roosevelt and the members of the Government of the United States, I would feel obliged if you would also be the interpreter of those of my colleagues and the one who has the honor to renew to your excellency the assurances of his high esteem.

Henry Vignaud.

[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to Chargé Vignaud.

Paris, March 13, 1907.

Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I did not fail to communicate to the President of the Republic the letter by which you were kind enough to ask me to convey to him the expression of the deep sympathy of his excellency the President of the Republic of the United States and of the American nation on the occasion of the catastrophe which has just befallen France in its navy.

Mr. President was deeply moved by the sentiments of which you were kind enough to be the interpreter on this sad occasion and which will be deeply felt by the whole of France, and he has charged me to have recourse to your usual kindness to convey to his excellency Mr. Roosevelt his most sincere thanks.

I want to tell you also how sensible the Government of the Republic was to the condolence you addressed to it as much in the name of the Government of the United States as in your own name and that of your collaborators.

Accept, etc.,

S. Pichon.