Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898
Mr. Woodford to Mr. Sherman.
Madrid, April 20, 1898.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose copy of report from R. M. Bartleman, United States consul at Malaga, dated April 18, instant, giving detailed account of the recent disturbances at Malaga. In acknowledging [Page 1081] to him the receipt of the report I have renewed the expression of the appreciation of the Government of his admirable conduct at so trying a time.
Very respectfully, yours,
Malaga, April 18, 1898.
Mr. Minister: On the evening of the 15thinstant, about 8 p.m., a group of students, bent upon showing their patriotism, started from the neighborhood of the institute toward the central part of the city, shouting praises to the army and navy; en route they were joined by the crowd, the procession growing from a few to several thousand.
I had just finished dinner when the clerk of the consulate called at my residence to inform me that the procession had passed the office without referring in any way to the United States; that the object of the demonstration was apparently against the attitude of the Spanish Government. Scarcely had Mr. Troughton departed when he found himself obliged to return, stating that the crowd had divided itself into two or more divisions, one portion going toward the Alameda, the other to the Plaza de la Constitucion, where it was met by the civil governor and the mayor, who requested them to disperse; the other division was returning to the consulate. Scarcely had he uttered the last words when he heard a crash, caused by the breaking of glass. The consulate was demolished, the coat-of-arms removed, and in its place was hanging the Spanish colors. Meantime, the house occupied by the vice-consul and myself came in to a share of this patriotic (?) display. Thinking we were not at home, our visitors soon left us to visit the house of an American citizen, Mr. W. C. Bevan, who, fortunately, had left the city several days before. Before reaching his residence, however, they were met and turned back by the civil guard, now arriving on the scene of action, and finding it impossible to again attack the consulate, they proceeded toward the opera house, stopping the performance. The rioting continued until 1 or 1:30 a.m.
Early the following morning I requested my colleagues of Great Britain and Colombia, the latter residing with me, to do me the favor of calling upon his excellency the civil governor, as I had no desire to see him before receiving an apology for what had transpired; to protest against what had taken place, and to know if his excellency was able to give proper protection to the consulate, my residence and self; if not, I desired to be informed of the fact. On their return they stated what the governor had said—that the consulate, my house, and myself were now well protected, both by the civil guards and police; that he had received a telegram from Madrid directing him to restore the coat of arms in its place, using the military forces, if necessary, to accomplish this act, and wishing to know if I had another. I informed him that I had an old one. The chief of police, who accompanied my colleagues to take back my reply, then stated that as soon as the cavalry and infantry were in line and ready he would send for it. At 1 o’clock all was ready, the pieces were loaded before the crowd, and the arms of the United States was in view once more. This act [Page 1082] brought forth a storm of protests from the assembled multitude. Their fury knew no bounds, and they promised themselves that it would again be removed that evening.
At 4 p.m. the civil governor and his secretary called upon me at my house to express his regrets and those of his Government for the unfortunate event of the previous evening, and at the same time he requested me to inform you that the coat of arms had been restored in obedience to his instructions. He seemed very sad, and was profuse in his apologies. In reply, I thanked him, and stated that, so far as to my personal feeling, I was entirely satisfied, provided my Government was.
Throughout the day the demonstrations continued; windows and lamps were broken by hundreds; shopkeepers were obliged to close their places of business; the riot and confusion that took place is indescribable.
During the evening it finally became necessary for the cavalry to make several charges at a full gallop, using their sabers right and left, inflicting and receiving wounds and making many arrests.
All entrances to the streets near to the consulate were now closed and guarded by the cavalry. These precautions continued over Sunday, when more trouble was anticipated, but the wounds received by the people cooled their desires, and up to the hour of writing this dispatch (11 p.m.) nothing more has taken place, and I trust the city will soon regain its normal condition.
In speaking of the past event, I have the honor to state that the authorities here seem to have taken such precautions as they thought efficient for the protection of our interests. That they proved insufficient is to be lamented.
Our actual losses will be very small; a few glasses and a little paint and varnish will put all to rights again. The great loss will be for the Marquis of Lurios, owner of the property.
I have for days past been expecting this trouble and took the precaution to have the archives in a safe place. That I could not remove them elsewhere was owing to the exposed position of the building, which is located in front of the Military and Liceo Club from whence all my actions for days past have probably been observed. Knowing this, I have used the utmost caution in all my movements; I have avoided public places where an insult could possibly have been offered to me; moreover, my daily life for a long time past has been to go to my office and return home again at the end of the day.
I append herewith copies of all telegrams and correspondence in reference to the within-mentioned demonstration and trust that my conduct and actions have your approval.
I improve this occasion, etc.,
Mr. Bartleman to Mr. Sherman.
Malaga, April 15, 1898.
Demonstration, 8 evening, Friday. Windows consulate broken, shield destroyed. Residence also stoned.
Mr. Bartleman to Mr. Woodford.
Malaga, April 15, 1898.
Demonstration, 8 this evening, windows, shield completely destroyed. My residence stoned. Have wired Washington.
Mr. Woodford to Mr. Bartleman.
Madrid, April 16, 1898.
Have asked Spanish Government to protect our consular officers and property throughout Spain.
Mr. Bartleman to Mr. Sherman.
Malaga, April 16, 1898.
Civil governor called; express regrets name Government. Authorities placed new shield consulate.
Mr. Bartleman to Mr. Woodford.
Malaga, April 16, 1898.
Civil governor called express regrets. Consulate a wreck. Archives, records safe. Thanks for telegram.
Mr. Bartleman to Mr. Woodford.
Malaga, April 16, 1898.
Authorities have placed new coat-of-arms consulate.
Mr. Adee to Mr. Bartleman.
Washington, April 17, 1898.
Prompt action Malaga authorities is highly appreciated.
Mr. Bartleman to Mr. Woodford.
Malaga, April 17, 1898.
Just received following: “Prompt action Malaga authorities is highly appreciated. (Signed) Adee.” Demonstration continued in city last night. More expected to-day. Many wounded. Our interests apparently well protected. Governor doing everything possible and I anticipate no trouble at consulate or house. Papers sent to give idea of situation. Full report conclusion affair, not wishing to molest you at this time. Trust my actions have your approval. Doing my best for our interests.
Mr. Woodford to Mr. Bartleman.
Madrid, April 17, 1898.
Two telegrams dated April 16 received. I commend your courage and discretion. I authorize you to leave Malaga whenever your safety requires and to turn American consulate over to British consul.
Mr. Bartleman to ________
Malaga, April 17, 1898.
Your Excellency: In view of our conversation of yesterday evening, I now have the honor to send your excellency a copy of a telegram just received from the Department of State at Washington:
“Prompt action Malaga authorities is highly appreciated. Adee.”
I likewise informed our minister at Madrid that your excellency had caused a new coat-of-arms to be placed on the consulate.
Knowing that your excellency has done and continues to do all in your excellency’s power for the protection of our interests, I take this occasion to express my thanks and to offer, etc.,
Note.—As his excellency does not read English, I inclosed a translation of the above in order to save time.