File No. 812.6363/202a
The Secretary of State to Special Agent Silliman
Washington, January 19, 1916, 4 p.m.
Department reliably informed de facto authorities contemplate issuing a decree providing for the nationalization of petroleum, which, if we are correctly informed, would affect most seriously the interests of numerous American citizens and other foreigners who have heretofore engaged in the business of producing and selling petroleum in Mexico. Point out to General Carranza in unequivocal terms the dangerous situation which might result from the issuance of any decree of a confiscatory character. Request that definitive action be [Page 753] delayed until Department shall have had opportunity to examine proposed decree, and mail copy thereof to Department.