File No. 312.52/38.
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]
The Spanish Minister to
Mexico to the American Charge’
d’Affaires.
Spanish Legation,
Mexico,
October 16,
1913.
My dear Colleague: All the
informations available from different sources and places agree
in recognizing that the ill-will and propaganda against the
Spaniards comes from certain revolutionary elements, and perhaps
now in the first place from Don Venustiano Carranza and his
brother Jesús, who, I am told, have issued special orders to
that effect in the campaign against Torreón.
I renew [etc.]
[Inclosure 2.—Translation.]
[Untitled]
Spanish Legation,
Mexico,
October 16, 1913.
My dear Colleague: With reference to
your suggestion and my offer of last night, I must again tell
you that I have been unable as yet to obtain absolutely exact
information regarding the Spaniards assassinated by the
rebels.
There remains no longer any doubt that on September 26, nine
Spaniards were assassinated on the hacienda “Palomar” in the
most cruel manner, having been forced to dig their own graves,
one by one, before being shot; a thirteen-year-old boy was
apparently among them. Captain Felix Ramirez, of the forces of
Francisco Villa was responsible for this act. According to
information from other sources, four or five others were
murdered in that vicinity, but I have as yet no confirmation of
this.
A Spaniard saved his life in Tlahualilo by giving $10,000 which
Francisco Villa received, but the latter ordered his men to
return to the place and kill the Spaniard; as he had already
fled, they arrested a sick clerk and executed him. Another
Spaniard, from a ranch in the vicinity, saved his life by giving
$500 to a captain, whom Villa had executed after receiving the
money for not having complied with the general order for killing
them.
It is asserted that three Spaniards were assassinated in Mapimi;
and in Torreón, according to information up to the 7th instant,
one or two Spaniards died, but no information has reached me yet
as to how they died. It has also been known that Francisco Villa
demanded from the merchants in general, excepting the American
citizens, a forced loan of three million pesos in cash or in
drafts on New York, and that he appointed to that effect a
committee, among which there are four Spaniards; all of which
has caused no little alarm, because they have all been
threatened in case the money is not promptly delivered.
[Page 901]
You will understand all the affliction which these happenings
have caused me and my serious concern regarding the indefinite
continuance of this sad state of affairs, which encourages the
uncultured masses to murder with impunity, to sack and destroy,
and that I am so deeply concerned when orders are given to
pursue in such an unjustifiable manner my countrymen, who are so
industrious and in general endowed with qualities which honor
their fatherland and who contribute effectively to the wealth
and progress of Mexico.
I avail [etc.]
