File No. 612.119/1040
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico ( Fletcher)
883. … (3) The Government of the United States, respecting as it does the property rights of Mexicans within the territorial boundaries of the United States, expects that the property rights of citizens of the United States within the territorial limits of Mexico will be protected by the Government of Mexico against injury and confiscation. In particular, the Government of the United States would be unwilling to conclude with the Mexican Government any arrangement for mutual exchange of commodities which failed to recognize the just rights of Mexican owners of private property in the United States and by [of] citizens of the United States in Mexico. In this connection, Department is forwarding you by telegraph its views concerning the legal features of the Mexican decree of February 19, 1918, taxing oil lands. This Government cannot acquiesce in any action taken by the Mexican Government whereby legitimate vested American interests are appropriated by Mexico. …