File No. 312.93/89.

Consul Simpich to the Secretary of State.

No. 366.]

Sir: I have the honor to report that the unjust and often outrageous treatment of Chinese by Mexicans continues in Sonora, in spite of all that this consulate can do in its efforts to secure protection for them and their property.

Recently a delegation of eight Chinese merchants of Cananea and Nogales, claiming to represent some 3,500 of their countrymen in northern Sonora, called at the consulate and requested that the attention of the American State Department be invited to their condition here; and that the Department, if consistent, unofficially suggest to the Chinese Embassy at Washington the advisability of sending an agent to Sonora to meet and consult with the Chinese here; these Chinese desire advice and aid in the preparation of claims covering a long series of property losses sustained by them during the past four years of revolution.

This consulate is constantly called upon by Chinese for aid and advice, but with its limited office organization, and by reason of the large number of Chinese in the district, it is physically impossible to give a full measure of attention to all such who find themselves in difficulties.

When the committee of Chinese called and raised the question of their claims, they were advised that any action at present would be premature; that no claims could be passed upon until political conditions in Mexico were materially improved, and possibly a joint claims commission appointed, or other customary arrangements made for the adjustment of such losses.

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They insisted, however, that it was their desire that their request be made known to their Embassy at Washington; my suggestion that they write directly to the Chinese Embassy and make their request over their own signatures was agreed to by them, but they also insisted that the consulate make known their desire to the American Government at Washington.

It then occurred to me that possibly the Chinese Government, considering the large number of its citizens resident in Sonora, if such an arrangement could be made without raising the question of recognition it would undoubtedly be of material assistance to the large Chinese colony here.

I have [etc.],

Frederick Simpich.