custody of the orphaned daughter, and that this man informed him that to obtain the funds to make the trip he had mortgaged his home. No. 26.] Minister Collier to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN LEGATION, SIR: The typewriting of dispatch No. 25 was just finished when I received two more letters from victims of the fraud, one living in New Hampshire, another in Minnesota. The New Hampshire letter was from a pastor of a church who wrote that one of his parishioners had sent to the swindlers over $500 and with difficulty was dissuaded from sending $1,500 more. * * * Will the Department kindly instruct me as to the extent to which it desires me to urge Spanish officials to prosecute the swindlers, the extent to which it advises that I participate in the prosecution, or aid Americans (who may have been lured here) to act as informants or complainants, and particularly whether the Department of State or the Department of Justice can make any allowance to cover expenses incident to this work. A few hundred dollars might greatly aid in obtaining evidence, which could be laid before the Spanish authorities, which they might use, but which they will not seek to obtain. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 25 of the 26th and your No. 26 of the 28th ultimo, relative to the Spanish estate swindle. In reply I have to say that this Department has had this matter before it for fifteen or twenty years. It has repeatedly warned the public through the press, and the matter has been brought to the attention of the Spanish Government both by this Department and the Post-Office Department. A press dispatch some months ago stated that the Spanish police had`captured the gang, but their operations, as you state, still continue. Under the laws of most of the states, it is impossible for the Spanish courts to secure evidence against the swindlers by means of letters rogatory, and there are very few of the sufferers in this country who are able or willing to go to Spain to give their evidence. The Department has communicated the substance of your No. 25 to the press. I am, etc., FR 1905-54 ALVEY A. ADEE. 850 MEASURES TAKEN FOR THE ATTRACTION OF FOREIGN VISIT- Charge Winthrop to the Secretary of State. No. 43.] AMERICAN LEGATION, SIR: I have the honor to inclose a copy and translation of a royal Madrid, October 7, 1905. decree which appeared in the Gaceta of to-day and which the Department may consider of sufficient interest and far-reaching in its practical scope as to secure some publicity therefor in order that the everincreasing number of American citizens who travel may be less deterred from visiting Spain, a country which has so much in the way of interest to offer to the tourist. The decree is also interesting as furnishing evidence of the national awakening to the need of a wider intercourse with the outside world, both from the educational as well as from the pecuniary point of view. As regards the latter, it appears to be realized by all thinking Spaniards how directly the pecuniary resources of the country may be benefited by an influx of travelers, and how much this has contributed to the prosperity of such countries as Switzerland, as well as to the rehabilitation of Italy. In some recent newspaper discussions of the recent very startling fall in the rate of exchange on Paris, this having now fallen to 26.75 (this being the premium in pesetas paid for a 100-franc note, whereas most of the summer it has hovered about 31 and last year it fluctuated between 32 and 34), a realization of the desirability of fostering the aim of this decree is voiced in no uncertain terms. The approaching visit of the President of France will unquestionably do much good in developing this idea and in making Spaniards see the practical good which will come to them in furthering the provisions of the said decree. I have, etc., ROBERT M. WINTHROP, Jr. [Inclosure.-Translation.] ROYAL DECREE. Upon the advice of the minister of fomento and in accord with the council of ministers, I decree as follows: ARTICLE 1. A national commission is herewith created charged with encouraging in Spain, by whatever means are at its disposal, the visit of foreigners, either those coming for pleasure or improvement. ART. 2. This commission will be presided over by the minister of fomento, and will be composed of members to be designated by him. ART. 3. Among the adequate means for encouraging the influx of foreign travelers, to the study and establishment of which the national commission named in the preceding article will at once begin to devote itself, will be the following: (a) Preparing and publishing in foreign countries itineraries for travel, in order that the chief national and artistic monuments, landscapes, etc., may be visited most easily and profitably. (b) To study means and take the proper steps with the railway companies in order to organize and establish special tariffs and fast comfortable trains, which, starting from the frontier, and, if possible, from the seaports as well, may convey travelers on these tours, making the journey attractive and comfortable. (c) In concert with deputies, town councils, or other bodies as may be expedient to see that an improvement be arrived at in the lodging and services of all kinds relating to travelers, and when it may be done legitimately to attract and retain the subjects of other nations. (d) To publish and diffuse in foreign countries, in the appropriate language, historical facts, descriptions of our monuments, and whatever may be considered useful for the better appreciation of beauties, artistic as well as natural, and for giving a knowledge of our history and for awakening the curiosity of foreigners. (e) Whatever other work or steps to be taken, which, in the judgment of the above-named commission, and with the approbation of the government, if such be necessary, will be considered as contributing to the design of favoring the coming into Spain of the foreign traveling public. ART. 4. The minister of fomento will include in the next national budget the amount which, in the judgment of the above-named commission, is considered necessary in order to attend to the printing and propagation of the work which is to be accomplished in the carrying out of the preceding articles. ART. 5. The minister of fomento is authorized to arrange what dispositions are necessary to carry out the present decree. Given in the Palace, October 6, 1905. ALVARA FIGUEROA, Minister of Fomento. ALFONSO. SWEDEN AND NORWAY. TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND NORWAY AMENDING THE EXTRADITION TREATY OF JUNE 7, 1893, BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION. Whereas a treaty between the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway amending the last paragraph of Article II of the treaty of extradition between the United States and Norway, concluded June 7, 1893, was concluded and signed by their respective plenipotentiaries at Washington on the 10th day of December, 1904, the original of which treaty, being in the English and Norwegian languages, is word for word as follows: Whereas the Kingdom of Norway has enacted a new penal code, taking effect January 1, 1905, by which the penalty of imprisonment at hard labor is abolished, the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway have deemed it expedient to conclude a treaty amending, in this respect, the treaty of extradition concluded between the same high contracting parties on June 7, 1893, and have appointed for that purpose the following plenipotentiaries: The President of the United States of America, John Hay, Secretary of State of the United States of America; and His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway, J. A. W. Grip, his majesty's envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States of America; who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles: ARTICLE I. The last paragraph of Article II of the treaty of extradition, concluded June 7, 1893, between the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Sweden and Norway, is hereby amended, to take effect on January 1, 1905, by striking out after the word "Norway," the words "by imprisonment at hard labor," and inserting in their place "by a higher penalty than imprisonment for three months." The paragraph in question shall then read, as amended: "Extradition is also to take place for participation in any of the crimes and offenses mentioned in this treaty, provided such participation may be punished in the United States as a felony, and in Norway by a higher penalty than imprisonment for three months." ARTICLE II. The ratifications of the present treaty shall be exchanged as soon as possible, and it shall remain in force as long as the treaty of extradition hereby amended and shall be terminable on the same notice. In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the above articles, both in the English and Norwegian languages, and have hereunto affixed their seals. Done in duplicate at the city of Washington, this 10th day of December, 1904. [SEAL.] JOHN HAY. And whereas the said treaty has been duly ratified on both parts and the ratifications of the two governments were exchanged in the city of Washington on the 4th day of April, 1905; Now, therefore, be it known that I, Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, have caused the said treaty to be made public, to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington this sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and twenty-ninth. [SEAL] By the President: FRANCIS B. LOOMIS, Acting Secretary of State. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION BETWEEN THE KINGDOMS OF SWEDEN AND NORWAY. Minister Graves to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Stockholm, June 7, 1905. (Mr. Graves reports that the cabinet of Norway has been unanimously authorized by the Norwegian Storthing to conduct the administration of the Kingdom of Norway with regent authority. A friendly address was sent to King Oscar by the Storthing, asking him to designate a member of the Bernadotte dynasty to ascend the throne of Norway. Arctander has been appointed Norwegian minister for foreign affairs.) |