Lately, a new wave of emigration of our citizens to America has begun. They descend in whole groups to different places in the Bay of Kotor in order to continue to Trieste. From reliable sources we have learned that most of them have no passport at all and some of them have old ones, which are not valid anymore. Our emigrants, out of all emigrants from different countries, suffer the most because they receive no protection from anywhere. They fall into the hands of speculators, who trade with them and dispatch them on the ships of the Austro-Americana [steamship line]. It would be helpful if our border authorities strictly control each emigrant's border crossing, and return those who do not have a valid passport. Moreover, all persons who are in contact with emigration agents should be monitored as closely as possible.

I have learned that the Austrian border authorities use various means to facilitate Montenegrin emigration to America and are in collusion with the steamship company Austro-Americana. They distribute secret propaganda for emigration. Because of that, ever more young Montenegrins emigrate from Montenegro, which impairs our army. Small groups of Montenegrins without passports arrive in Kotor, Risan, and Budva [towns in Austrian territory] and receive documents from the Austrians for the continuation of their journey.