File No. 812.512/381.
The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Bevan.
Washington, August 4, 1914.
Your August 1. Inform Department at once of the source of authority for levy of war tax, the per cent of the tax assessed, giving [Page 754] the basis of the levy and the total amount of the property of American companies on which levy is made, what reasons, if any, there are for selecting the particular nine companies, and the probable effect upon them. This Government cannot consent to the levy of a war tax which is discriminatory or which cannot be upheld as reasonable. Advise Nafarrate that Department will communicate with General Carranza upon this subject and point out to Nafarrate the personal responsibility which he will assume if he attempts to enforce the tax until the matters involved have been adjusted.