File No. 2126/269–272.
Minister Furniss to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Port au
Prince, May 22,
1908.
No. 384.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy
and translation of a note sent for my information by the Haitian
Government, in which
[Page 438]
it
announces the abolition of the custom of granting asylum by the various
legations and consulates in Haiti, and requests that the consular
agencies be given precise instructions in conformity therewith.
In acknowledging receipt of the note mentioned, I took occasion to thank
the Haitian Government for the publicity which it had assisted me in
giving to the department’s instructions as to Haitian refugees.
The Haitian Government’s note has not been well received by my colleagues
of the diplomatic corps. They seem to see in it a menace, in that it
virtually conveys orders which can only be issued to them by their own
Governments, and brings in question the sanctity of legations which has
heretofore been an admitted principle in international law. They have,
therefore, merely acknowledged the receipt of the note and stated that
it has been referred to their governments for consideration.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Furniss.
Foreign Office,
Port au
Prince, May 20,
1908.
No. 113.]
Mr. Minister: With a view of putting an end
to the custom—only too much abused—of asylum in the legations and
consulates established in Haiti, my department has just notified the
diplomatic corps in this city of the decision that the Haitian
Government has deemed necessary to take relative thereto, and of
which I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy for the
information of your excellency.
I take, with pleasure, this occasion to renew to you, etc.,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Minister Furniss.
Port au Prince, May
20, 1908.
No. 112.]
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to inform
your excellency that the Haitian Government has decided to put an
end to the custom of asylum in legations and consulates established
in this country.
Your legation will kindly take note thereof and issue to your
consular agencies precise instructions, that they may strictly
comply with that decision.
Please accept, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
Minister Furniss to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
American Legation,
Port au
Prine, May 21,
1908.
No. 282.]
Sir: I am in receipt of your excellency’s
note No. 113 of the 20th instant, inclosing copy of a note addressed
by you to the diplomatic and consular corps here accredited, stating
that your Government has decided to put an end to the practice of
granting asylum in Haiti, etc.
I thank you for your courtesy in sending me a copy of the note. At
the same time I desire to thank you for the publicity which your
excellency recently assisted me in giving to the fact that in future
the American Government will no longer permit Haitian refugees in
its legation and consulates.
Please accept, etc.,
