File No. 4880/1.
The Secretary of State to Minister Furniss.
Washington, March 5, 1907.
(Refers to Mr. Furniss’s cable of March 2, and states that as the enforcement of the law of 1876 may drive American merchants from Haiti and will occasion them great loss, he is authorized to protest against the enforcement of the law. Instructs him to state that the department can not permit discrimination against its citizens in favor of other foreign merchants, and informs him that to this extent only he may cooperate with the diplomatic corps.
Refers to Mr. Furniss’s cable of March 5, and directs him to protest on behalf of the four American firms, stating that if the law is to be enforced, American citizens must have reasonable time to wind up their affairs.
Directs him to report by cable the exact effect of the enforcement of the law upon resident Americans, and to send schedule of proposed rates so that the department may make proper announcement here to the American press.)