File No. 312.52/180.
Vice Consul Simpich to the Secretary of State.
Nogales, February 19, 1914.
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s telegraphic instructions of January 7, 1914, regarding alleged depredations against the Desengaño mine in Durango, which question I immediately took up by telegraph with General Carranza.
In reply, dated January 27 at Culiacan, Carranza’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs says:
I have received your message In which you ask protection for the Deserigano mine, owned by Spaniards, Mexicans and one American; and that the Spanish Minister reports that the municipal presidente of Guanacevi, obeying orders of Gen. F. Villa, was about to confiscate the mine.
I must state that representations and claims of these foreigners should be made to General Carranza through the Secretary of Relations, by the diplomatic representatives of the countries to which they belong.
I have [etc.]