Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 5, 1916

File No. 812.63/308a

The Secretary of State to Consul General Hanna ³

Department of State,
Washington, November 14, 1916.

Sir: The Department gives you herewith, as follows, for your information and guidance, the substance of a letter which it has sent to various American owners of mines in Mexico, concerning a Mexican decree requiring them to resume the operation of their properties:

On September 23, 1916, the Department sent detailed telegraphic instructions to its representative at Mexico City, directing him to make appropriate representations to the de facto Government of Mexico, looking to the annulment of the decree. On November 10, he was instructed to repeat the representations mentioned, and again to protest in behalf of American interests against the enforcement of the decree, on the grounds of its illegally and confiscatory character. He was also directed to point out to the de facto Government that American property rights in Mexico are entitled to protection under the Mexican Constitution, and that the Government of the United States holds those rights to be inviolable and entitled to full protection by the de facto Government of Mexico.

If you are unable to comply with the decree of the de facto Government of Mexico requiring you to operate your mines in Mexico, it would appear advisable for you to file a statement with the Department of Fomento, Mexico City, setting forth the reasons why resumption of work cannot be undertaken at this particular time. Further, it is suggested that you keep yourself fully informed of the developments that may follow the filing of such a statement.

The Department is sending similar instructions to all border consuls.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:

William Phillips

3. Same, mutatis mutandis, to all border Consuls.