File No. 812.032/14.
No. 1916.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
April 2, 1913.
[Inclosure—Translation—Extract pertaining
to foreign relations.]
[Untitled]
Public attention has been occupied greatly by the public disorders
which have occurred during the last six months, since they might
have had influence in some manner on the cordial relations which up
to date we have maintained with foreign nations.
As a matter of fact the criminal depredations committed in various
parts of the Republic by armed groups which have placed themselves
outside the law, committing acts now of rebellion, now of
brigandage, have brought about, on the part of victims of foreign
nationality, claims against the Mexican Government, directed by the
representatives of their respective nations. The form in which the
claims have been presented has in no wise inspired any doubt or the
least fear that our relations of friendship with foreign nations
could suffer any alteration from this cause. Prudence, discretion
and serenity have been characteristic of the conduct of the
diplomatic agents accredited to Mexico in taking up these affairs,
showing once more the esteem which their Governments and they
themselves have for our country.
The Mexican Government, anticipating the investigation ordered by the
American Congress to fix and estimate the personal damages caused by
the revolution of 1910 by citizens resident in El Paso, Texas, and
Douglas, Arizona, ordered two of its consuls to compile with the
greatest zeal the data for the appraising the real damage and to set
the amounts of indemnities which should be forthcoming. The result
was that only eleven persons presented claims in El Paso and six in
Douglas, for injuries received, in some cases because of acts
imputable to their own negligence or their impertinent curiosity to
witness a battle. In equity and in view of the damages suffered,
indemnities were fixed, the amounts of which were similar to those
fixed by the American courts and by the Mexican and American
chancelleries in cases where the damages, in part at least, are the
fault of the victims. The matter is not yet ended due to the
exaggerated pretensions of those interested, who have thought to
find in the commission appointed by the American Congress an
unconditional support.
