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

File No. 812.6363/227

The Secretary of State to Consul Dawson

No. 8

Department of State,
Washington, March 29, 1916.

Sir: The Department acknowledges the receipt of your unnumbered despatch of March 16, 1916, enclosing copies of a decree said to have been issued by General Carranza, ordering the suspension of all drilling and exploitation of oil lands, pending the issuance of a proposed new law on this subject.

You are instructed to advise the Department promptly if any attempt is made to apply the provisions of this decree to American citizens.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:

Wilbur J. Carr