Baron Fava to Mr. Hay.
Washington , November 25, 1899 .
Mr. Secretary of State: I took care, yesterday, to call your attention, in a wholly unofficial and friendly matter, to a communication which was yesterday addressed by the Commissioner of Immigration of the port of New York to the agent of the Italian immigration bureau for the purpose of notifying him that the said bureau would be abolished January 1, 1900. Last night’s and this morning’s papers confirm this news as emanating from the Commissioner-General of Immigration, as you may convince yourself by the inclosed clippings.
The fact that such decision, abrogating an agreement entered into with the reciprocal consent of two friendly Governments, has been reached without any previous notice having been given to this royal embassy by the honorable Department of State, and that this decision has been communicated by subordinate authorities to the Italian agent without any intimation to me, and then given to the press, is without precedent, you will admit, in international relations. It constitutes [Page 427] a lack of regard for Italy, which has always sought to maintain the most cordial relations with this country.
Consequently, while protesting against this proceeding, of which I feel convinced that your Department has no knowledge, I have the honor to beg you, Mr. Secretary of State, to be pleased to use your good offices with a view to causing any decision relative to the Italian immigration bureau to be suspended until the question has been more fully examined on both sides.
Be pleased to accept, etc.,