File No. 812.6363/227
Consul Dawson to the
Secretary of State
American Consulate,
Tampico,
March 16, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copy of the Spanish text, and an English translation, of what purports
to be a decree issued by the First Chief, ordering the suspension of all
drilling and exploitation of oil lands pending the issuance of the
proposed new law on the subject by the Secretary of Fomento.
Up to this time there is no evidence that this decree, if issued, is
being enforced; certainly no complaints have reached this office.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure—Translation]
Copy of a telegram purporting to be decree issued
by order of the First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army, in
charge of the Executive Power of the Nation, sent from
Guadalajara, February 28, 1916.
By permission of the office of the Secretary and for its due
compliance, I transcribe to you the contents of the telegram that
was addressed to this same Secretary’s office by the Citizen First
Chief of the Constitutionalist Army, in charge of the Executive
Power of the Nation, telegram which is dated Guadalajara, the 28th
day of the present month:
Attorney Roque Estrada, Secretary of
Justice:
Your message dated yesterday. With the accord of this office
of the First Chief all works of exploitations and drilling
are suspended in oil lands, until the office of the
Secretary of Fomento presents the project of the new law
regarding the matter. You can order that no registries he
made of deeds forming companies for the purchase of oil
lands, even when they are formed by foreigners. I greet you
affectionately.
The prohibition of the inserted telegram should be amplified to the
leasing of lands celebrated with the same object of exploiting oil
lands.
I protest to you my consideration.
Constitution and Reforms.
Mexico, February 28, 1916.
