Mr. Dudley to Mr. Hay.

No. 978.]

Sir: Referring to the Department’s 337 of the 3d instant, I have the honor to say that while the raising of the Peruvian flag for other [Page 699] nations under the supreme decree of June 28, 1904, is nominally upon the basis of reciprocity, the Peruvian foreign minister mentioned to me last month, at this legation’s Fourth of July celebration, that it was not the purpose ordinarily to inquire into the fact of reciprocity.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

Irving B. Dudley.