Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1912

File No. 412.00.

[Untitled]

Serial 634.]

American Embassy,
Mexico, June 7, 1911.

Sir: With reference to the matter of the settlement of claims growing out of the damages to lives and property during the recent revolution, I have the honor to advise the Department of the existence of a strong desire on the part of all the diplomatic representatives accredited to this Government to take accordant action in bringing the claims of their respective nationals to the attention of the Mexican authorities. It is the general opinion that such procedure will cause prompt action and that all claims will then be settled upon the same basis, thus obviating any complaints of favoritism or special consideration on the part of those claimants who may think that they have not been adequately indemnified. It is also thought that such a method will be more acceptable to the Mexican Government, and will avoid any feelings of resentment which the urging of one nation or another on account of especially large losses might bring about. In this connection I beg to enclose to the Department, in translation, a copy of a letter from the Spanish Minister at this capital, in which it is suggested that identic action would be the best procedure in dealing with the adjustment of claims. The day after writing me this letter the Spanish Minister sent me a short informal note to indicate that he had trustworthy information to the effect that the Mexican Government has already come to some decision, which it is believed will satisfactorily dispose of this question.

I have [etc.]

Henry Lane Wilson.

[Inclosure.—Translation.]

The Spanish Minister to the American Ambassador.

Spanish Legation,
Mexico, June 2, 1911.

Mr. Ambassador: As agreed in our conversation of this morning, I have the honor to address this letter to your excellency.

I have considered it my duty to lay before your excellency the fact that from the moment that certain foreign representatives had addressed themselves to the Ministry of Foreign Relations in the matter of the sufferings and losses of their countrymen during the recent troubles and had received replies thereto more or less similar, it might be of advantage to us to study in common, as occasion arises, the principles to be defined. These could not but be harmonious and in agreement with one another, and likewise the solution and procedure to be followed would be in accord with the sincerely amicable sentiments and relations which we all endeavour to cultivate with the Government of the Republic.

In the observance, therefore, of the development of this important question, so intimately connected with the definite realization of peace which is so much to be desired both by Mexico and ourselves, I have been of the opinion that we might be disposed and ready to enter upon an exchange of views if the circumstances should indicate the advisability of so doing, and it is with this in mind that I have had the honor of opening the subject with your excellency.

Thanking your excellency for the kind reception given to my suggestion.

I beg [etc.]

B. J. dé Cologán.