File No. 312.115/79A.
The Secretary of State to Special Agent Carothers.
Washington, May 16, 1914.
We are informed that the commanding general at Tampico has asked those in business there to make voluntary contributions to the Constitutionalists without receipts being given and without crediting same on taxes. The merchants understand that failure to respond voluntarily will be followed by a demand for forced loans. Please bring the matter urgently to the attention of General Carranza and represent to him that it would be exceedingly unwise to make any harsh or unusual exactions; call his attention to the fact that the foreigners in Tampico would be quick to complain to their representatives and these in turn would feel it necessary to protest at such demands. Tampico being a seaport, foreign governments may feel that they can be more insistent in making objections to anything which they may consider unreasonable. Public opinion in foreign countries would take into consideration the difference between a seaport and an interior city. We earnestly hope that the Constitutionalist authorities will not be disposed to demand more than Huerta demanded when in control of Tampico and there was complaint against his demands.