File No. 312.115/262
Consul Simpich to the Secretary of State
Nogales, June 28, 1916, 11 a.m.
Military authorities Nogales, Sonora, are seizing valuable ores and bullion belonging to Americans on some of which all export duties had already been paid. Part of this taken by forcing open safe of Wells Fargo; other lots were taken from cars. On American ranches cattle and other property are being driven off and automobiles confiscated. Consulate in Nogales left under protection of Mexican collector of customs has been entered and robbed. It has become impossible to obtain any satisfaction from Mexican border officials. Lewis and Hart, American ore buyers, report seizure of twenty-five hundred dollars worth silver and gold bullion at Nogales, Sonora.