File No. 812.00/15664.
The Mine and Smelter Operators’ Association to the Secretary of State.
General Villa has demanded that accredited representatives of the Mine and Smelter Operators of Chihuahua present themselves at the Governor’s Palace at Chihuahua August 9 to meet General Villa to receive a proposition of grave importance which will be submitted at the time. He threatens that properties which are not represented at the proposed meeting by fully empowered representatives will be closed. He stated that he would conclude with those present arrangements which would be binding on the industry although we have pointed out to Villa that the specific purpose of the meeting and the object for discussion must be known before necessary authority with proper limitation can be delegated by the principals to their representatives or agents; nevertheless he has flatly refused to state to us or even to indicate the nature of the proposition which is to be submitted. It is our unanimous opinion that Villa’s purpose is to obtain money unjustly and coercively. We realize from previous instances the likelihood that coercive methods and intimidation will be applied by Villa at such a meeting. On July 12 Señor Escudero, Secretary of Hacienda, acting under instructions of General Villa, proposed that, because of the urgent needs of his Government, the members of this association each advance as large a sum as possible, such advance to be repaid by crediting same against amounts which would become payable for mining taxes and railroad freights. Total amount required was stated as $300,000 gold. We refused to contribute, on grounds that such advances would compromise us because open to construction as participation in the internal political affairs of Mexico. We are therefore apprehensive that Villa now intends to exact a forced loan or its equivalent. Hence we respectfully and earnestly request that appropriate representations be made to General Villa for the purpose of forestalling any demands upon us by him for a forced loan or any other illegal exaction. We believe that such representations are necessary to protect our rights and will avoid disagreeable and embarrassing complications in the present delicate situation.
Respectfully,