File No. 412.11/42.

The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

No. 1083.]

Sir: I have the honor to report to the Department that this Embassy is at present being actively and repeatedly requested by American citizens having claims against the Mexican Government for injuries to person or property growing out of the recent revolution, and by the attorneys for such American citizens as find it impossible to attend to the matter in person, to present and press their claims before the Mexican Government. In the absence of any instruction from the Department defining its attitude toward these claims, I am obliged to make reply to all communications of this nature by stating that the Embassy is awaiting instructions from Washington, and that whenever these are received all cases which have been properly executed and transmitted to the Embassy will receive its careful attention and earnest support. Under these circumstances I think it expedient to say to the Department that I believe a general instruction in the matter of claims should be sent hither as soon as may be compatible with a careful study of the interests and points involved.

I am informed that the payment of those claims which are adjudged just by the Consultive Claims Commission will be delayed for some time but that their payment will eventually be provided for in bill which will be submitted to the Federal Congress. I have, therefore, thought it best to defer urgent action in connection with any special case until all claims shall have been filed with this Embassy and have received the approval of the Department, and I further believe that all American claims which have not been submitted to the Consultive Claims Commission should be submitted en masse through diplomatic channels. This method, if approved by the Department, will permit of all claims of a certain class or character being settled according to a single rule, and will, in my judgment, simplify and expedite the procurement of justice for American claimants. I earnestly trust that the Department may be able to give this matter its consideration very soon, as the Embassy is becoming involved in a large correspondence relative to claims, [Page 949] which is of an irritating and pressing character and to which it has at the present moment no authority to give satisfaction.

I have [etc.]

Henry Lane Wilson.