File No. 812.512/348a.
The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Silliman.
Washington, July 15, 1914.
Department granted Consul Tampico leave beginning July 13. Ascertain if he has left his post. If so you are instructed to accompany General Carranza to Tampico. On arrival there inform yourself fully from consulate files regarding bar, production and export taxes, and endeavor to agree upon some practical basis for payment of these charges. Authorities first demanded gold on basis of two for one, but later agreed to accept New York exchange at current rate. The difficulty is in determining rate of exchange, as banks in Tampico all closed.