File No. 312.52/225.
The Secretary of State to Consul Letcher.
Washington, April 11, 1914.
Consul Hamra now at Torreon telegraphs that a great many flagrant cases of confiscation of abandoned Spanish property have already occurred at Torreon and vicinity. In view of General Carranza’s published statement in the press a few days ago to the effect that Spanish property at Torreon would not be molested, you will please call the Torreon situation to Carranza’s attention and endeavor to secure a definite expression from him as to what may be expected regarding the abandoned property of Spanish subjects at Torreon and what steps will be taken to secure the protection of this property and the punishment of those guilty of looting and confiscating Spanish property.