File No. 312.11/1240.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, March 8, 1913—1 p.m.
92. At an interview with Mr. De la Barra this day the Minister began by saying that he was almost ready to give a decisive answer to the urgent questions now under discussion between us (questions referred to in Department’s February 21, 11 p.m.2).
Tlahualilo matter: Mr. De la Barra said he expected to have a definite basis agreed upon by Monday which would warrant the coming of interested parties for the purpose of settling the whole question.
[Page 943]Chamizal matter: He said he would probably, early next week, be authorized (perhaps with some amendment as to land) to accept the Department’s proposition for the exchange of the Horcón tract of [for?] the small tract south of the Rio Grande near El Paso. But Mexico would desire to have all questions of payment of money eliminated from the discussion.
Alamo, Douglas and El Paso claims: He would make me a direct offer in the early part of the coming week.
General claims growing out of revolutions: He would arrange a settlement in an amicable discussion with me later. Mexico is willing to follow the precedents adopted by the United States in paying claims not falling within the rules of international law but settled for amicable and humanitarian considerations.
All of the foregoing will be given me in written form early next week.