The Acting Secretary of State to Chargé Brown.
Washington, May 13, 1905.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Combs’s dispatch No. 270, of the 26th ultimo, inclosing a copy of correspondence relating to the complaint of Mr. Al. Stebbins and his wife that a squad of soldiers, by the orders of Meleton Agreda, commandante of La Gomera, forcibly entered his premises on July 30 and 31, 1904, took therefrom certain property, and assaulted Mrs. Stebbins.
In reply I have to say that Mr. Combs’s efforts to bring about an unofficial adjustment of the matter by the payment to the injured parties of a small sum is approved by the Department.
I am, etc.,