File No. 812.6363/69.
[Untitled]
Tampico, May 17, 1914, 10 p.m.
Department’s May 15, 5 p.m. Officials Tampico powerless to prevent forfeiture leases as these are matters of private contract, and practically all leases are instate of Vera Cruz. Consulate has succeeded in arranging such leases as were brought to its notice but there is no question but that owners property can enforce forfeiture in cases in which payments are not made promptly.
Department’s May 14, noon, relative to Americans returning to oil fields. Americans are safe in Tampico provided there will be no future international complications but families and men should not return to oil fields until further notice. This Consulate has considered it safe (office reopened April 29th) for responsible oil men to return to Tampico to arrange affairs which have been abandoned. April 22 secured passes for number such men who had arrived off Tampico but having no boats with which bring them to Tampico from outside had to depend upon British naval officers who instead of assisting exerted every possible influence against such action. British Consul and British naval officers have exerted every possible influence to get all Americans out and to keep them out and have influenced large British oil company to discharge all American employees and officials; therefore Consulate requested to solicit British effort to obtain absolute control. Oil industry has been temporarily checked by capture Tampico by revolutionists but present situation is complicated as federal force which evacuated Tampico is now in Panuco District and it is generally believed prepared to destroy all oil wells if attempt is made to drive them out.