File No. 812.516/177
The Secretary of State to Ambassador Fletcher
Washington, May 24, 1917, 5 p.m.
205. British Embassy here informs Department that on 15th instant British-owned Banco Internacional Hipotecario received written demand from de facto Government for 225,000 pesos; that no reason or excuse was given; and that next day 125,000 pesos were actually taken. British Government requests this Government to join it in such action as may appear likely to be effective.
Confer with British Legation. You may in your discretion make informal protest against this apparently unwarranted action. See Department’s 654, February 6, to Parker, as it may be useful in present case.