Mr. Ames to Mr. Hay.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you in reply to Department’s unnumbered instruction of September 23, directing me to obtain and forward to the Department copies of the neutrality proclamations issued by the Government of Chile during the war between Russia and Japan, that no such proclamation has been issued by the Government of Chile. In confirmation of this statement I have the honor to inclose a copy and translation of a note sent me by the Chilean minister for foreign relations, under date of yesterday, in response to my written inquiry.

I have, etc.,

Edward Winslow Ames.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Mr. Vergara to Mr. Ames.

Mr. Chargé d’Affaires:

I had the honor to receive your note of the 7th instant, in which, in pursuance of instructions from your Government, you asked me for copies of the proclamations of neutrality issued by the Government of Chile during the war between Russia and Japan.

In reply I have the honor to inform you that the Government has issued no such proclamation, and that it adheres, with reference to the Russo-Japanese conflict, to the general principles of international law which govern the relations between neutral and belligerent nations.

I improve this opportunity, etc.,

Luis A. Vergara.