File No. 812.6363/130.
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Decree of General Candido Aguilar.
Cándido Aguilar, Governor and Military
Commandant of the State of Veracruz, to its inhabitants makes
known:
That considering first, that the greater part of the petroleum
bearing lands pertaining to the territory of this state have been
sold or given in lease in form detrimental to the owners, and
carrying enormous profits alone to the lessees, lawyers, engineers,
and notaries who have taken part in these contracts many of them
absolutely unfair and one sided.
Considering second; that in almost their totality these lands are
exploited by foreign companies who do not resign themselves to
suffer in their interests when throughout Mexico hard times prevail
without taking into consideration that since our wonderful soil
enables the speculators to quickly make fabulous fortunes, it is
just that when the country passes through critical periods, the
foreigners ought to bear the same losses as the natives.
Considering third, that our present struggle has shown the menace
which threatens the nation from the predominance of foreign capital
in a determined section, even to the extent of its possessors
soliciting the aid of foreign armed forces, it is stated, to come to
defend interests which in more than one instance even if they do
represent large sums in the hands of their present owners, the
amount that the Mexican sellers received therefor is relatively
insignificant.
Considering fourth, that paramount to the liberty of commerce so
malevolently interpreted by exploiters without conscience are the
autonomy and tranquility of the country, and,
Considering lastly that all national progress ought to have the
unrenounceable condition of being beneficial to the natives of the
country and never dangerous to our integrity, I have thought it
well, so long as circumstances do not permit the enactment of proper
laws for safeguarding the interests of the country to decree that
which follows:
- Article 1. For all contracts of lease, alienation,
cession, mortgage, or any other encumbrance whatever, upon
lands in the Cantons of Ozuluama, Tuxpam, Tantoyuca,
Chicontepec, Misantla and Minatitlan, the contracting
parties will kindly obtain from this superior governor the
respective authorization.
- Article 2. Without the authorization to which the
preceding article refers no act which may effect the said
lands shall be valid nor shall the contracts relative
thereto be able to be registered.
- Article 3. Those who making light of the present decree
may make any clandestine contract shall be punished with the
confiscation of the lands which they attempt to bind.
Given in the Palace of Tuxpam, Veracruz, on the third day of the
month of August, 1914.
The Governor and Military Commandant of the State of Veracruz.
