File No. 812.404/64.
The Brazilian Minister to Mexico to the Secretary of State.
Mexico City, February 19, 1915.
343. The French Minister, the Vicar General and other respectable persons request me to inform you of the following:
[Page 1018]The Mexican and foreign Catholic clergy, having failed to comply with an order from the military commander, General Obregon, to furnish half a million pesos within five days for the alleged purpose of helping the poorer classes, which amount the clergy assured [him] they did not possess, received an order to appear at the national palace this morning under caution that non-compliance with this last order would be considered a rebellious act and dealt with accordingly. About one hundred eighty priests of different nationalities called at the palace and are now held there under arrest, it being stated that the foreign clergy will be expelled from the country and the native held in prison until the amount requested is paid over. Same informants add that a mob concentrated around the palace, where there is a very heavy force of troops belonging to Obregon. This crowd asked for the immediate liberation of the clergy, and a small dash took place this morning. It is to be feared that this situation will grow worse later and be the beginning of very serious disorders and lawlessness.
In view of the above, I asked Silliman to put the matter before Carranza by wire.