814.6463Em7/28
The Minister in Guatemala (McMillin) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 26.]
Sir: Referring to the Department’s cable No. 59 of July 3rd, 3 P.M., I have the honor to report that:
On receipt of the Department’s first instructions relative to the Empresa Electrica sold to the Electric Bond and Share Company of New York, I called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs [Page 757] and carried out my instructions. I urged that there should be no step taken in the matter looking to the return of the properties to the original owners till after the return of Mr. Innis from New York. The Minister promised that nothing should be done in Mr. Innis absence. After this I took occasion to say that I did not see how the American purchasers could ever be deprived of their property as they had bought it and the Government of Guatemala had received the money, $496,000.00 [495,000.00?]. He reminded me of the fact that the Government had discharged, as he promised me they would, the attorney for the “Intendencia” who recently decided with the Germans and against the American purchasers at a recent meeting of the stock holders.
I discussed other matters pertaining to German properties with him which will be found further reported on in my Despatch No. 60 of this date.17
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩