File No. 312.115/156.
The Secretary of State to Consul General Hanna.
Washington, March 23, 1915.
Your telegram March 15. It is proper to protest in behalf of Americans against a tax which is confiscatory or discriminatory, and you are also instructed to use your good offices for the protection of other foreigners against such taxation, but we are not justified in inquiring into its purpose or the use to be made of it if levied by a competent de facto authority. You will constantly bear in mind the fact that injustice done to religious bodies will arouse deep and lasting prejudice against those responsible for it and therefore use such moral influence as is possible against such acts.