File No. 312.11/127.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, March 18, 1912—12 noon.
An American citizen, George W. Conwell, who has some millions of dollars worth of destructible property here, has asked me to define his course in view of possible attacks on property by mobs and the inability of the local authorities to render due protection. All his employees are Mexicans, and have an agreement not to attempt to defend the property in case of an attack, believing that his rights as a neutral would be prejudiced thereby.
Many other Americans are asking me the same question, and it may be of the greatest importance to have a rule clearly laid down by the Department with a view to any claims for damages which may be made in the future as a result of these disorderly occurrences. I therefore request that I be instructed.
I am permitting Americans to file inventories at the Embassy or at the Consulate General.
A rule should be established, if none exists, placing upon the Mexican Government the responsibility for acts committed by mobs or otherwise whenever it shall have received notice of dangerous conditions and a request for protection.