File No. 312.115/258
Consul Canada to the Secretary of State
Vera Cruz, June 9, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s instruction No. 893 of May 19, 1916, in regard to the communication sent out by the Colonel Chief of Arms and the President of the Board of Civil Administration, of Jalapa, State of Vera Cruz, calling upon certain persons and firms to contribute certain amounts to be used in the purchase of American corn for the relief of the poor. We advised the American firms that consulted with us, not to pay the contribution; and we made verbal representation in the case.
The result is that none of the Americans and only a few of the Mexicans paid the tax, and the authorities returned the money to those who paid, stating that the plan of collecting funds for the purpose mentioned had been abandoned, but that those who had shown their good will by contributing, would be remembered and their interests protected in the event occasion arose and their property should be jeopardized. I will advise the Department of any further developments in the matter.
I have [etc.]