File No. 812512/318.
The Secretary of State to Consul Miller.
Washington, July 6, 1914.
Department’s representative at Saltillo telegraphs July 4 that Villareal, Secretary of Treasury, has directed port authorities Tampico accept New York exchange at prevailing gold rates and facilitate shipping in every possible manner.
In this connection Department refers you to Consul General Hanna’s telegram of July 5 to you, reporting favorable results of his representations relative to exchange, kind of money to be accepted, clearance of oil ships, and American oil interests.
Are Tampico banks now open? If not, how can shippers buy exchange, or what other arrangement can be made in settling with port authorities on the basis above stated?
Are port authorities observing Villareal’s direction and will their observance of it be a practical solution of the manner in which taxes or bar dues on oil may be paid, resulting in no discrimination in favor of oils delivered through Tuxpam as against oil delivered through Tampico?