File No. 812.63/185
Mr. Parker, representing American interests, to the Secretary of State
401. Carranza issued a decree, dated 14, declaring, first: all mine owners must work their mines under penalty of forfeiture if work is suspended more than two months continuously or three months [Page 731] interruptedly during one year; second, mine owners who have reason to cease work must obtain permission from Department of Fomento which permission cannot be extended for more than three months unless the same causes for suspension continue to exist; third, Department of Fomento will fix the minimum number of laborers for each mine basing estimate on number of population; fourth, mine owners must employ as many workmen as they have employed or were employing at the time of suspension of work, but Department of Fomento may change this number if deemed necessary; fifth, once a property is declared forfeited by Department of Fomento this fact must be made known to Department of Hacienda immediately in order that the latter may determine if the concession in question be subjected to public denouncement or if the property shall continue to be exploited by the Government, in which case a person will be appointed to continue operation; sixth, this decree goes into effect immediately.