Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 4, 1917

File No. 812.6363/282

The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Fletcher

[Telegram]

Department of State,
Washington, June 16, 1917, 3 p.m.

267. Following telegram dated June 13 has been received from Anerican Consul, Tampico.

We understand Mexican Government officials will not grant oil company permits to drill wells on leases taken since February 5, date new Constitution was promulgated. Acting upon official announcement that new Constitution would be effective May 1 and not before, many American oil companies acquired numerous leases between February 5 and May 1. McHenry.

Polk