File No. 812.6363/269

Ambassador Fletcher to the Secretary of State

No. 28

Sir: With reference to the Department’s telegraphic instruction No. 635 of January 27, 1 p.m. relative to the situation of the American oil companies in the vicinity of Tuxpam, upon which telegram Mr. Parker made representations to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the de facto Government of Mexico, I have the honor to transmit herewith a translation of the note which I have received in reply to the above-mentioned representation.

I have [etc.]

Henry P. Fletcher
[Inclosure—Translation]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Fletcher

Mr. Ambassador: With reference to the note of January 29 last, addressed to this Ministry by Mr. Charles B. Parker, I have the honor to inform your excellency that having requested a report from the military commander at Tuxpam [Page 1065] with respect to the matter of the demands for large sums of money made on American oil companies in that region by bandits under the command of an individual named Manuel Pelaez, and that the military authorities have threatened the properties of the said companies and the managers thereof in case proof was obtained that such payments were being made, the military commander above referred to informs this Ministry in a dispatch of February 26 last that in effect it has come to its knowledge that the companies mentioned furnished the bandits referred to, not only with money, but with arms and munitions.

At the same time the aforementioned official states that foreigners have not been mistreated nor threatened in any way, nor have their properties been molested but that, on the contrary, all courtesies have been given them.

I avail [etc.]

C. Aguilar