File No. 812.512/381.
Vice Consul Bevan to the Secretary of State.
Tampico, August 1, 1914.
List referred to in my July 30 was received today. Nine American companies were assessed for 26,500 pesos and 32 Spanish companies for 73,000 pesos. This office referred Colonel Nafarrate to Governor Caballero’s communication102 and requested written statement from him advising of Government change of policy regarding forced loans from foreigners since receipt of said letter. There are over 100 American companies in this district, only nine appear on list, none of them big oil companies. If precedent is established and Americans are compelled to pay forced loans remaining ninety per cent will surely be assessed later on, which will result in the closing down of the large majority of American companies operating here. Will advise Department promptly result of my last communication to Nafarrate.