File No. 812.00/11703.
Consul Hamm to the Secretary of State.
Sir:* * * Immediately upon my arrival in Torreon I sought and obtained an interview with Generalisimo Villa, who was in a most communicative frame of mind, discussing future plans with me with entire freedom.
General Villa discussed the Durango situation with entire frankness, stating that he realized that that State had suffered as no other on account of having been dominated by the worst elements of the revolution, and ended by expressing his determination of personally visiting Durango immediately upon his return from Juarez and bringing peace and order out of anarchy and chaos, even if he had to execute one half of the revolutionists of that section, strongly intimating that it would be necessary to apply that summary treatment to some of the principal leaders at least.
Towards the Spaniards personally he is still absolutely uncompromising; towards their interests he was evasive. It continues to be [Page 808] his fixed determination to expel all Spaniards from every foot of territory under his dominion, and my second plea for the Durango Spaniards, whom I know have not mixed in political matters, fell on deaf ears. He only gave them a respite until such time as he could turn his attention to the affairs of the State of Durango. With regard to the confiscation of Spanish property, he stated that each case would be decided upon its merits, but the fact remains that many Spanish store properties in Torreon and much Spanish cotton on the neighboring haciendas have already been seized without any pretense of a prior investigation, statements issued by Venustiano Carranza to the contrary notwithstanding.
I next questioned him with respect to his attitude towards the property of Americans and other foreigners, and he replied that all other foreign property would be duly respected. Shipping facilities are at once to be placed at the disposal of all foreign shippers who care to send cotton or other products to the United States; Americans will pay no taxes or contributions other than the ordinary freight rates; other foreign shippers must pay a local export tax. Thus as far as General Villa is concerned all foreigners are divided into three classes, the Americans being the most favored, with absolutely no restrictions placed upon their business transactions; foreigners other than Spaniards must pay moderately for the privilege of transacting their own business; Spanish property must not be disposed of in any manner, as it is considered legitimate booty of war.
General Villa was very anxious that I should bring to the attention of my Government the fact (?) that he was scrupulously complying with all the usages of civilized warfare in regard to his treatment of prisoners and wounded of the enemy, his treatment of neutrals and their interests, with the single exception of the Spaniards, who he claims have forfeited all rights to protection on account of their avowedly hostile attitude towards the cause.
I have [etc.]