File No. 837.711/36
The Minister in Cuba ( Gonzales) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3.43 p.m.]
Referring to my despatch 590, March 4.1 As result of search of mail pouches from Mexico therein reported, and in which Commander Kear took part, Cuban Post Office Department has received notice from Mexican Post Office Department referring specifically to one pouch reported by Bordeaux office as having been evidently opened and bearing Havana seal. Mexican Department requests investigation and “adoption of measures to prevent recurrence.” No hint is made of knowledge that Mexican mail is being censored but evidently Mexico wants to draw from Cuba some declaration to this effect.
Cuban Postmaster-General has requested me to suggest what answer to make. Does Department advocate assertion of right of [Page 1737] search of neutral mails passing through belligerent territory? If so on what grounds does it suggest this might be defended?
- Not printed.↩