Mr. Hay to Mr.
Beaupre.
Department of State,
Washington, March 4,
1899.
No. 121.]Sir: Referring to your telegram of the 1st
instant, in regard to the alleged departure of a filibustering
expedition from the United States to Guatemala, and to the Department’s
telegraphic reply of the same date, confirmed in my instruction of the
3d instant, I have to inclose, for your information, copies of
correspondence had with the Navy Department in regard to the said
expedition.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Hay to the
Secretary of the Navy.
Department of State,
Washington, March 1,
1899.
Sir: Referring to my letter of even date
herewith, communicating the telegram received from the United States
minister to Nicaragua, and with reference to the apprehensions
therein expressed in regard to an alleged filibustering expedition
to depart from New Orleans for Honduras, I have the honor to inform
you that I am advised by the minister from Guatemala that he is
informed of the reported organization at Kansas City and departure
from New Orleans yesterday on the steamer Managua of an unlawful expedition destined for Puerto
Barrios in Guatemala. Mr. Lazo Arriaga represents that the
expedition is numerous and well organized, but that its ostensible
purpose in proceeding to Puerto Barrios is to engage in the
operations of railway construction in that vicinity, while the real
motive is believed to be the disturbance of the peace of Central
America by fomenting an insurrection there, presumably in Honduras.
He adverts to the circumstance that the newspaper press has
published accounts of the departure of the expedition from Kansas
City, and adds that the Government of Guatemala purposes to prevent
the landing of the expedition at Puerto Barrios.
I have, therefore, the honor to request that so far as may be
practicable the agencies under your direction will be exerted to
prevent any violation of the neutrality laws of the United
States.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Long to Mr.
Hay.
Navy Department,
Washington, March 1,
1899.
Sir: Referring to the matter of the
departure of an alleged filibustering expedition from New Orleans,
La., for Honduras, and the representations of the minister from
[Page 367]
Guatemala in that
connection, I have the honor to inform you that, in compliance with
the request contained in your letter of even date, that so far as
practicable the agencies of this Department be exerted to prevent
the violation of the neutrality laws of the United States. The
following telegram has this day been sent to the commanding officer
of the U. S. S. Machias, now at Puerto
Cortez, Honduras:
“Informed by State Department of departure from New Orleans yesterday
by steamer Managua, ostensibly for Puerto
Barrios, of a numerous well-organized armed expedition, intending to
foment insurrection in Honduras. You take such action as may be
necessary under the neutrality laws of the United States to prevent
the commission of hostile acts by this expedition, fitted out in the
United States against a friendly government. Acknowledge and report
by cable such action as you may take.”
Very respectfully,
