File No. 812.00/16396.
Mr. Parker, representing American interests in Mexico, to the Secretary of State.
115. I am requested by American Society of Mexico to transmit following to you:
American residents are deeply concerned to receive information of status various matters in which this society has appealed to the Department of State especially mail service, currency and mining tax decrees and the request for emergency food supplies most of all. Mail since April not arrived. Authorities [Page 763] claim not received from the United States. Outgoing sealed letters are opened and read and some not forwarded. Press despatches and all cablegrams personal or commercial are suppressed if they criticize existing conditions. Since use of legation pouch has been discouraged we have not assured means of communication with families, friends or business connections in the United States or Europe.
Currency conditions grow more impossible. Carrancistas have nullified not only all currency of factions but also much of their own. This still continues. They force public accept their currency but refuse receive it themselves for important taxes. They issue decrees declaring invalid public and private business done under various previous régimes. Very limited food supplies have been brought to city but suffering among poor increase because of inability purchase. Deaths from starvation continue. Fuel famine is acute. No freight can be moved without graft and scarcely any even with that. Federal currency has disappeared and all substitutes are strictly forbidden thus increasing sufferings of poor. This and many other outrageous conditions and arbitrary abuses of armed power occasion present suffering and loss and hold grave menace for future. Soto y Gama while Convention controlled here threatened foreigners with death for protesting to their government. General Gonzalez said privately will punish us when their government is established. They insist daily through all newspapers that the United States will soon recognize them. Local press is not permitted publish real situation. Foreigners and native public enraged over present systematic campaign by Carrancistas of misrepresentation in United States and are most apprehensive regarding its misleading effect on the friendly nations striving to aid Mexico.
American Society of Mexico.