Mr. Snowden to Mr.
Gresham.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Madrid, March 25, 1893.
(Received April 22.)
No. 119.]
Sir: In my dispatch No. 109½* I intimated that I was about to
make another move, with a view of hastening a settlement of the Caroline
incident. This was to request of the minister of state that as Gen. Blanco,
the newly-appointed governor-general of the Philippines, was to be in Madrid
to receive instructions previous to his departure to Manila, a consultation
be had between himself, the minister of the colonies, the prime minister,
and the new governor-general, out of which conclusions might be reached that
would enable His Majesty’s Government to authorize the immediate return of
the missionaries without the long delay that must result if the proposal of
the minister of state to refer the matter to Manila for investigation and
report was followed.
After a consultation with a member of the cabinet as to the course proposed,
it was approved with the additional suggestion that as a preliminary step
the minister of state be requested to refer the whole matter to a cabinet
council.
This course I had previously suggested, but at that time it was not thought
advisable. I therefore, on the llth instant, sought and obtained a special
interview with the minister of state and found him much disturbed by my
statement of February 21, in which I gave the expenditure of money by the
American Board of Foreign Missions in establishing and maintaining the
mission at Ponapé. He said he understood from my note that my Government
expected a payment of $250,000 as indemnity for losses incurred. I directed
his attention to the statement as indicating the money expended and the
value of the property taken or destroyed, but repeated what I had previously
stated, that the indemnity would not exceed $25,000 if the missionaries were
permitted to return, but if this was denied them, in spite of their rights
and the guarantees of his Government, the amount of indemnity claimed would
be at least $250,000, as it would have to cover a large portion of the
expenditures, all of which would be lost if the missionaries were driven
from their field of labor and the natives permitted to return to the
condition in which they were found by the missionaries over forty years ago,
and to which condition I understood they were fast tending. I further said
that the main point with our Government, the importance attached to which I
could not overstate, was the return of the missionaries, and that if this
was promptly conceded the indemnity could be settled for a sum not much
exceeding $20,000.
After this I made my request that the subject be referred to the council of
ministers, with the purpose of seeing if a settlement could not be reached
without delaying until the governor-general could report from Manila.
He readily assented to my suggestion, saying that he would be exceedingly
glad to be released from further responsibility. He seemed in the interview
to be more reasonable in regard to delays than at our former meetings.
After this interview with the minister of state I addressed a confidential
[Page 578]
note to the prime minister,
copy inclosed. I also inclose copies of his reply and of my response.
From this correspondence you will see that the case as it stands is now
hopeful of an early solution.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 119.]
Mr. Snowden to
Señor Sagasta.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, March 11,
1893.
Excellency: One hour since I had the honor of
an interview with his excellency the Marquis de la Vega de Armijo,
minister of state, in regard to the Carolines incident. In this I
requested that the return of the missionaries to the island of Ponapé be
submitted to a council of ministers.
I have taken this course in view of the approximate arrival at this
capital of the distinguished Gen. Blanco, recently appointed
captain-general of the Philippine Islands, in the belief that through a
consultation between yourself, the minister of the colonies, the
minister of state, and Gen. Blanco conclusions may be reached which
would meet the approval of His Majesty’s Government, and through which
these poor missionaries may have an early return to the field of their
labors. If we are to await the arrival of Gen. Blanco at Manila and his
securing information from Ponapé, which is 3,000 miles distant
therefrom, and upon which a report is to be based as to the advisability
of allowing the return of the missionaries, over six months will elapse
before this report can be received at his capital.
Surely His Majesty’s Government does not desire to cause such a delay in
the return of the missionaries to the island, which was practically
conceded more than a year since by the Duke of Tetuan, late minister of
state.
The new captain-general on his arrival at Manila and in establishing the
liberal policy which at all times has characterized the administrative
career of your excellency may at the same time fix such measures as will
insure perfect peace in those remote islands.
Knowing your desire to reach an early settlement of this irritating
incident, I take the liberty of calling your excellency’s attention to
the plan which I propose and through which I trust we may reach an early
settlement which will be satisfactory to both governments.
I avail myself, etc.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
119.—Translation.]
Señor Sagasta to
Mr. Snowden.
Presidency of the Council of Ministers,
Subsecretary’s
Office,
Madrid,
March 14, 1893.
Excellency: Complying with the wishes of your
excellency, as manifested in your kind letter of day before yesterday, I
have reported the subject therein mentioned to the council of ministers,
which body, animated, as myself, with the best wishes to give it a happy
issue, has agreed to await the arrival of his excellency Gen. Ramon
Blanco Erenas, the new governor-general of the Philippine Islands, so
that, in view of his information, an understanding may be reached in
relation to the solution best suited to the interests represented by the
Government and to the purpose of maintaining the most cordial and
sincere relations with a friendly nation. Trusting and hoping that this
reply may satisfy your excellency,
I renew, etc.,
[Page 579]
[Inclosure 3 in No. 119.]
Mr. Snowden to
Señor Sagasta.
Legation of the United States,
Madrid, March 17,
1893.
Excellency: I have the honor and sincere
pleasure to acknowledge your esteemed favor of the 14th instant,
announcing that the ministry of His Majesty the King has seen fit to
look favorably upon the suggestion I had the honor to make you, that a
conference be held with Gen. Blanco, captain-general of the Philippines,
before his departure to his post of duty, with a view to arriving at
satisfactory conclusions in relation to the return of the American
missionaries to the island of Ponapé.
I need not assure your excellency how gratifying to me is this
declaration of the ministry of which you are the enlightened and honored
chief, nor can I overstate the satisfaction your action will afford to
my Government and to the people of the United States, if it results, as
I trust and believe it will, in an early return to the field of their
long and arduous labors of the devoted men and women whose dives are
dedicated to the education and elevation of the savages in that remote
part of the world.
I beg your excellency will convey to your honored colleagues my profound
appreciation of their action.
I avail myself, etc.
