File No. 312.115/24.
Vice Consul Simpich to the Secretary of State.
Nogales, November 25, 1913.
Referring Department’s November 22. Carranza’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Escudero, today replied in writing in substance as, follows:
Regarding complaints of Mexican Petroleum Company and Huasteca Petroleum Company, Carranza sends word that he has despatched orders to General Aguilar to withdraw his demands for money made upon these companies and to cease molesting them.
Referring to the case of International Petroleum Company Carranza says orders have been sent to General Pablo Gonzalez, Military Commander in that region, not only to investigate the facts of the case of which the International Company complains but to make a record of the damages if the company has sustained losses in order that they may be adjusted in due time; Gonzalez is further ordered to see that these deplorable incidents are not repeated.
Regarding Department’s warning should Constitutionalists capture Mazatlan, Carranza says extra urgent orders have been issued to Constitutionalist commanders outside Mazatlan that should they take the city every effort be made to protect foreign lives and property. Carranza adds that his orders are usually delayed because of lack of communication with distant points but that in every case he tries to make orders effective as quickly as possible.