File No. 812.00/9559.
The American Consul at
Hermosillo to the Secretary of
State.
No. 589.]
American Consulate,
Hermosillo,
October 28, 1913.
Sir: I have the honor to report that in view
of the fact that General Carranza had named a few members of his
Cabinet, I took the opportunity of asking him whether he expected to
remain in Hermosillo for the present, name his entire Cabinet and make
Hermosillo the provisional capital of the Republic. He said that for the
present he expected to remain here and, in view of the fact that the
Constitutionalists were in actual possession of the largest part of the
Republic, his was a de facto government and therefore it is necessary
for him to name the principal members of his Cabinet.
He also desired me to send to the Department the copies enclosed of
circular instructions issued at different times. He told me he had given
instructions never to take anything from anyone, either goods or money,
without giving a proper receipt for the same.
I have [etc.]
[Page 955]
[Inclosure 1.]
The manner in which the Constitutionalists propose
to settle claims for damages arising out of revolutionary
conditions.
claims for damages.
Venustiano Carranza, First Chief of the Constitutional Forces, to all
the inhabitants of the Republic—Take notice:
By virtue of the extraordinary powers conferred upon me, I have
issued the following decree:
-
Article I. We recognize the right
of all natives and foreigners to demand payment for all
losses sustained during the revolution of 1910, that is to
say, for the period between November 21, 1910, and May 31,
1911.
-
Article II. We recognize the equal
right of natives and foreigners to demand damages for losses
that they have suffered and which they may suffer during the
present troubles; that is to say, from February 19, 1913,
until the restoration of Constitutional order.
-
Article III. We recognize the same
right of foreigners to demand payment for damages suffered
through the revolutionary forces or armed groups during the
period between May 31, 1911, and February 19, 1913.
-
Article IV. As soon as the First
Chief of the Constitutional Army reaches the capital of the
republic, and in accordance with the Plan of Guadalupe
assumes executive power, he will appoint a commission of
Mexican citizens charged to receive, discuss and liquidate
all demands that may be made for damages suffered in the
periods mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 of this decree.
-
Article V. At the same time he
will name a commission as mentioned in the previous article
in accord with the diplomatic representatives or special
representatives that may be commissioned by each government
to which the foreign claimants belong, and will proceed to
name a mixed commission including an equal number of
Mexicans and foreigners, the latter belonging to the
nationalities of the claimants, for the purpose of
receiving, discussing and liquidating all demands that may
be presented in accordance with the first three articles of
this decree.
-
Article VI. The form, time, terms
and conditions under which shall be paid the claims for
damages which may be presented, as well as the organization,
procedure and other matters connected therewith, shall be
decided by the commissions and shall be upheld by a special
law which will be passed at an opportune time.
Let this decree be published and circulated and given due heed.
Venustiano Carranza,
First Chief of the Constitutional
Forces.
[Inclosure 2.]
[Untitled]
Circular No. 3.
respecting the persons and property of
foreigners.
In view of the fact that public opinion throughout the country has
been strongly unified and that the Mexican people have with
patriotic enthusiasm embraced the idea of the Constitutionalist
cause; and it being expedient to avoid as far as possible the
damages and losses brought about by all armed movements, and to
avoid also all possible conflicts that may arise between the
Republic of Mexico and any foreign country for damages that may be
caused to its citizens, either personally or to their property—I
hereby command, as First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army, that
all officers in command of forces endeavor by all possible means to
prevent their subordinates and inferiors from taking and disposing
of any property pertaining to foreigners, and that they shall take
especial care of the persons of foreigners, using all patriotic
zeal. Only in cases of extreme necessity and when the taking is
fully justified shall those officers and chiefs take and dispose of
supplies for their troops, giving the necessary receipts for the
same.
Communicate this to all military officers for their strict
observance.
Piedras Negras,
Coahuila, June 17,
1913.
V. Carranza,
First Chief of the Constitutional
Forces.
[Page 956]
[Inclosure 3]
[Untitled]
Circular No. 4.
receipts for articles furnished.
It has come to my knowledge that some officers and chiefs of the
Constitutionalist forces operating in the State of Durango have not
issued any documentary evidence to the interested parties for the
arms, horses, munitions of war, provisions and other articles
demanded for the sustenance of the cause. All those chiefs and
officers are hereby notified to issue receipts to the interested
parties who shall demand them for all articles given them
heretofore, and hereafter they shall issue receipts for what may be
given to them at the time of delivery.
The First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army desires to take only
those things that are necessary for the maintenance of the forces,
giving the necessary receipts, in order that their value may be paid
at the triumph of the cause.
This notice is hereby given to all chiefs operating in the
Republic.
Canatlan,
Durango, August 10,
1913.
V. Carranza,
First Chief of the Constitutional
Forces.
[Inclosure 4.]
[Untitled]
Circular No. 5.
all pecuniary assistance to be repaid.
All persons and institutions who have given any kind of pecuniary
assistance to the Constitutionalist chiefs and officers for the
organization and maintenance of their forces, and who may not have
the necessary receipts, are hereby notified to call upon the above
chiefs and officers in order that the necessary documents may be
given them, so that their value may be fixed and they may be paid at
the triumph of the Constitutionalist cause.
Canatlan,
Durango, August 10,
1913.
V. Carranza,
First Chief of the Constitutional
Forces.
