File No. 812.6363/60a.
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador.
Washington, April 29, 1914.
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: In view of our conversation regarding the advisability of making an effort to secure some neutrality arrangement over the Tampico oil district, I took the matter up with the President, who received the idea very favorably.
About ten o’clock last night a telegram was sent to the Department’s representative near El Paso, to be used as a basis of representations which he has been instructed to make the Constitutionalist authorities in an effort to arrive at some understanding which, it is hoped, will secure a neutral zone to include the oil region around Tampico.
Since British operators are as deeply concerned as American ones, it appears to me that the accomplishment of this purpose should be one of mutual interest.
I am, therefore, gratified to learn that you have made similar representations to the authorities in charge at Mexico City along the lines of those which we have already made to the Constitutionalists.
We have not asked that the neutrality be applied to the port cities through which this oil passes, fearing that by including them it might be difficult to secure an agreement. The things which really need the protection are the wells and the territory which surrounds them, including the pipe-lines. It seems to me that these could be neutralized and remain so, regardless of who might be in possession of the cities. I do not see how the authorities on both sides can fail to realize the imperative necessity of protecting this oil production, [Page 693] since without such protection, a disaster might be produced that would be most appalling in case the oil should get on fire.
I am [etc.]