Bring all above to attention appropriate authorities, reciting previous representations, if any, and say in view these large number of acts committed or permitted by officials evidencing unfriendliness to Americans, this Government expects disavowal these acts by de facto Government and immediate and energetic action in way of restoration property where it still exists, adequate compensation. for property destroyed, and punishment of responsible persons. Request early response. File No. 312.115/267 POLK DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 22, 1916, 7 p. m. 238. Department informed of following recent confiscations of American property State Durango: All bullion taken from Mexican Candelaria and San Luis companies, Sandimas; tannery in Durango State belonging Victor Gomez estate, confiscated by General Laveaga, military commander; all property of American Smelting and Refining Company, Velardena and Asarco, being taken by Mexican railroad employees; cattle and property on Varn's Cacaria ranch being removed. Request immediate orders for return all this American property and that depredations thereon be absolutely discontinued. Ask that you be advised at once what action will be taken. POLK File No. 312.115/268b DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, July 22, 1916, 6 p. m. 237. Department informed that following recent removal of American settlers from Yaqui Valley many of their properties were completely looted and that some of their farms have been taken possession of by Mexicans. Request appropriate authorities immediately order all American property which has been removed from these places, restored thereto, and that all American properties this section be given adequate protection. POLK File No. 312.115/271 The Secretary of State to Special Representative Rodgers [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 18, 1916, noon. 303. D. J. Woodward, American citizen, owning La Marima Hacienda on river San Antonio, Coahuila, requests representations against instructions affecting his property received by the several mayors of that section to take possession of all nuts on the river in the name of the State Government. Consul, Piedras Negras, reports that, while timber on navigable rivers, according to Mexican law, is withheld by Government for distance of twelve yards, law clearly states, fruits, grass, etc., thereon are property of owner adjoining land. Request that, if compatible with Mexican law, orders be issued for relief of Mr. Woodward from instructions mentioned. LANSING File No. 312.115/274 Mr. Parker, representing American interests, to the Secretary of State [Telegrams] MEXICO CITY, September 7, 1916, 4 p. m. 380. Department's 153, June 21, 3 p. m. to Rodgers. Foreign Office replies denying assaults and confiscation. PARKER File No. 312.115/273 MEXICO CITY, September 7, 1916, 5 p. m. 382. Department's 220, July 19, 6 p. m. to Rodgers. Foreign Office replies all protection will be imparted properties named. PARKER File No. 312.115/274 The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Blocker [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 11, 1916, 4 p. m. Your telegram June 20, 10 a. m. Parker, Mexico City, telegraphs Foreign Office denies confiscation property on American ranches along border. File No. 312.115/275 LANSING Vice Consul Blocker to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN CONSULATE, Eagle Pass, September 12, 1916, 5 p. m. Department's September 11, 1916, 4 p. m. in answer to my June 20, 1916, 10 a. m. Confiscation order was revoked when it was seen by State officials of Coahuila that intervention would not occur as was believed when order was given on June 19. BLOCKER File No. 312.115/276 The Secretary of State to Mr. Parker, representing American interests [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 20, 1916, 5 p. m. 430. Your telegram 382, September seventh, 5 p. m. Following telegram received from Salina Cruz: Properties were again raided September 11th by rebels and ex-Constitutionalist soldiers. All the provisions and much personal property stolen, native administrator and laborers have been forced leave. This will entail loss of crops which should now be harvested. Loss will be over ten thousand American dollars which the owners are not in position to lose. Urge upon appropriate authorities necessity for prompt and effective action. LANSING File No. 312.115/277 Mr. Parker, representing American interests, to the Secretary of State MEXICO CITY, October 6, 1916, 6 p. m. 453. Foreign Office in written reply denies categorically every statement made in Department's 178, June 29, 4 p. m. to Rodgers. File No. 312.115/278 PARKER MEXICO CITY, October 7, 1916, 2 p. m. 459. Department's 303 Aug. 18, noon, to Rodgers. Foreign office states nuts on federal zone of property mentioned being harvested by direct authority Department Fomento, but that property is in no manner intervened. PARKER File No. 312.115/279 MEXICO CITY, October 20, 1916, 6 p. m. 502. Department's 430, September 20, 5 p. m. Foreign Office replies that as soon as owner of properties in question requested protection to General Gutierrez same was immediately imparted and since that time properties have been under custody and crops can be harvested without difficulty. PARKER EMBARGO ON THE EXPORTATION OF ARMS AND MUNITIONS OF 1 WAR TO MEXICO 1 File No. 812.113/3884a The Secretary of State to Consul Simpich [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 21, 1916. Advise Department by telegraph, briefly and confidentially, from time to time, whether, in your judgment, permission for shipments 1 Continued from For. Rel. 1915, p. 780. 2 Same to American Consuls, Juarez, Hermosillo, Ensenada. of munitions of war for industrial purposes to points in your district should be withheld. Consideration should be given to the possibility of such supplies falling into the hands of persons who might make improper use of them. LANSING File No. 812.113/3882 Vice Consul Cochran to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN CONSULATE, Nogales, January 22, 1916, 8 p. m. Simpich returned from Yaqui Valley to-night and says Yaquis reported in vicinity of Ures and Alamos: that in his opinion no munitions should be permitted go to these points or to any point south Guaymas. COCHRAN File No. 812.113/3883 Consul Edwards to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN CONSULATE, [Ciudad Juarez] El Paso, Texas, January 23, 1916, 7 p. m. Department's January 21, 6 p. m. It is not advisable to allow munitions of war into this district. Conditions bordering on anarchy at this time. File No. 812.113/3885 EDWARDS Consul Hostetter to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN CONSULATE, Hermosillo, January 24, 1916, 9 a. m. Department's January 21, 6 p. m. Shipments referred to in no danger at present time of falling into wrong hands. File No. 812.113/3895 HOSTETTER File No. 812.113/4094 The Secretary of State to the Governor of California DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 26, 1916. SIR: I am in receipt of reports to the effect that certain officials of this Government, charged with the duty of checking up shipments of munitions of war into Mexico, have stated that it is a simple matter for their efforts to be defeated by individuals purchasing arms and ammunition in small quantities and carrying them across the international line, in some obscure locality; and it appears, from the information received by me, that there is ground for suspecting that certain Mexicans in the United States have recently acquired arms and ammunition, for the purpose of taking or sending them into Mexico in an unlawful manner. In order that the action of the appropriate Executive Departments of the Federal Government, in endeavoring to prevent the smuggling of munitions of war into Mexico, may be as effective as possible, have the honor to suggest, for your consideration, the advisability of your instructing the appropriate officials of your State to cooperate in every possible and proper way with the agents of the Federal Government in their efforts to prevent the illegal carrying of arms and ammunition, and other munitions of war, from the United States into Mexican territory. If you could find it consistent and practicable to carry out this suggestion, I should very much appreciate your doing so. It may be stated, for your information, that I have been recommending to the President that permission be given for the shipment of small quantities of explosives to certain localities in Mexico for industrial purposes. The matter of permitting the exportation of shipments of explosives for industrial purposes, or of munitions of war purchased by the authorized representatives of the de facto Government of Mexico is at present passed upon by the United States customs officials, in accordance with instructions received by them, at the American ports through which such supplies are consigned to Mexico, and the plan of cooperation herein suggested, which is merely to prevent smuggling, would not be intended to obstruct legitimate shipments. A letter similar to this is being sent to the Governors of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas; and the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General and the Secretary of War, are being likewise informed, in the matter. I have [etc.] File No. 812.113/4115 ROBERT LANSING The Adjutant General to General Funston [Telegram] WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, May 1, 1916. Secretary of War directs until further orders have been issued stop all arms and munitions of war from going into Mexico. 106413° -FR 1916- -55 MCCAIN |