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We receive so many communications on the subject of emigration from different sections of the United States, that if it meets the approval of the department, we beg that a copy be not only sent to the Detroit Informer, Detroit, Mich., but that a copy be given out for others interested in the subject and the general information of the public.

I have, etc.,

ERNEST LYON.

LUXEMBURG.

DEATH OF GRAND DUKE ADOLPHE.

Minister Hill to the Secretary of State.

No. 6 (Luxemburg series).

AMERICAN LEGATION,

The Hague, The Netherlands, December 15, 1905. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a note from His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxemburg, together with office copy of the same, to the President announcing the death of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Adolphe and the accession of the Grand Duke William to the Throne of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg.

I have, etc.,

a Not printed.

DAVID J. HILL.

1093

MEXICO.

SEIZURE OF AMERICAN FISHING VESSELS.

The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Thompson.

[Telegram.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 12, 1906.

Following telegram received from the Gulf Fisheries Company: On August 21 Mexican gunboat Aroclas boarded our schooner Hatteras in open sea 7 miles from Triangle Reef, demanded to see papers and Mexican fishing license, compelled crew to take off hatches so they could examine cargo. Schooner was under way until compelled to heave to by gunboat.

The department desires that you investigate and report as to the facts in this case.

ROBERT BACON.

Ambassador Thompson to the Acting Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

AMERICAN EMBASSY, Mexico, September 13, 1906. Yours 12th relative to American schooner Hatteras, second paragraph, article 5, of Mexican law, issued December 18, 1902, provides a maritime belt of 20 kilometers in which vessels of all nationalities can be inspected by Mexican men-of-war or coast patrol vessels. If the department thinks this law should be questioned, will you kindly give further instructions.

D. E. THOMPSON.

Ambassador Thompson to the Acting Secretary of State.

No. 220.]

AMERICAN EMBASSY, Mexico, September 20, 1906.

SIR: Referring to my No. 198," of the 10th instant, relative to the seizure by a Mexican transport, on a charge of poaching, of the fishing vessel Aloha, belonging to the Gulf Fisheries Company, of Galveston, Texas, I have the honor to inclose copy and translation of a note from the foreign office and of the communication from the department of war and marine therewith transmitted, reporting the status of the case in the courts.

a Not printed.

I have had no information relative to the case from the consul at Veracruz later than that contained in his report of the 7th instant (inclosure 7 in No. 198); but he will keep me advised as to any further developments.

I have, etc.,

D. E. THOMPSON.

[Inclosure. Translation.]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Thompson.

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
Mexico, September 12, 1906.

Mr. AMBASSADOR: Referring to your excellency's note, dated the 7th instant, relative to the capture of the schooner Aloha near Arcas Keys, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a communication from the department of war and marine informing me upon the proceedings followed by the proper authorities in relation to the capture.

I renew, etc.,

IGNO. MARISCAL.

[Subinclosure.-Translation.]

The Secretary of War and Marine to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs. DEPARTMENT OF WAR AND MARINE. The transport Progreso having captured the American schooner Aloha on August 30 last, because the same was anchored at a mile and one-third from Arcas Keys, with its fishing tackle on the deck ready for fishing, and as the reasons given by the master of the schooner to the commander of the Progreso as to why she was at that place did not appear acceptable to the latter commander, the fishing schooner was consigned by the military commandant of Veracruz to the district judge of the same place, and the latter officer has said to the military commandant, under date of the 3d instant, the following:

"In reference to the case, No. 283,906, instituted on account of the capture of the American schooner Aloha by the transport Progreso on a charge of poaching within Mexican waters I have on this date pronounced a decision, reading as follows: Veracruz, September 3, 1906. Having taken cognizance of * * action was at once taken to insure the vessel with all her appurtenances and objects found on board, depositing the same with the port master. Transmit this to the above-mentioned officer and to the military commandant of the city for proper effects with regard to the deposit. C. Suzarte Campos. A. Romero Velez. Which I have the honor to transmit to you for your information and legal effects, informing you that I have on this date addressed the port master with the same intention."

Which I have the honor to transmit to you for your information, with the understanding that all the documents relative to the capture of the vessel in question have been asked from the military commandant, and as soon as the same are received the same shall be reported to the department under your worthy charge.

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It is reported on good authority that Mexican gunboats have orders to seize American fishing vessels under any and all conditions of weather if within

the three-mile limit. Mexico is the only country that I ever heard of that denies the right of a vessel to make any port in a storm. Fishermen have always made a harbor under the lee of the reefs during bad weather and if denied this right it is likely to cause loss of life and property. This is the hurricane season, so please advise me as soon as possible if our men are obliged to stay at sea and risk their lives and our property when there is probably a safe harbor within a few miles of them.

Please investigate and report to department.

ADEE.

Ambassador Thompson to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]

AMERICAN EMBASSY,

Mexico City, September 27, 1906.

Your message 21 instant with quotation. The Mexican authorities have issued no such instructions as this quotation indicates. Their patrol vessels have instructions to take into custody within the 3-mile limit only such vessels as are fishing or known to have been fishing within this limit.

THOMPSON.

Ambassador Thompson to the Acting Secretary of State.

No. 233.]

AMERICAN EMBASSY, Mexico, September 27, 1906.

SIR: With reference to my dispatch No. 227, of the 21st instant, I confirm the embassy's telegram of this date to the Department of State on the subject of the supposed order of the Mexican Government that its gunboats seized American vessels under any and all conditions of weather if within the 3-mile limit. [Supra]

For the further information of the department, I inclose herewith copies and translations of Mr. Mariscal's note of the 25th instant and the note from the minister of war and marine therewith transmitted, containing the assertions of the Mexican Government upon which the above telegram was based.

I have, etc.

D. E. THOMPSON.

[Inclosure. Translation.]

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Thompson.

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
Mexico, September 25, 1906.

Mr. AMBASSADOR: Referring to previous correspondence, I have the honor to transmit to your excellency, herewith, a copy of a note I have just received from the secretary of war and marine, informing me that, as your excellency and I thought, the statement made by the Gulf Fisheries Company to the Department of State, that there was a provision passed by the Mexican

a Not printed.

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