File No. 312.115/174.
The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Davis.
Washington, March 30, 1915.
Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 547 of March 11, 1915, transmitting a copy of Governor Medina’s decree No. 62, imposing an extraordinary tax on foreigners under the guise of a state tax but in reality for military purposes, and calling attention to the strictly American people and companies in the list appended to your despatch. You say that nearly, if not all, of the others in the list are foreign people and companies, at least representing exclusively foreign people and capital.
Under date of March 15, 1915, a telegram was received from Mr. George C. Carothers, which reads:
Referring to matter of tax imposed by Jalisco State Government, I succeeded in holding the matter up indefinitely and understand that State authorities are changing plans of taxation imposed so that it will be equal to all on the percentage basis. I have been promised details before decree is issued.
I am [etc.]