File No. 412.00/61
The French Ambassador (
Jusserand) to
the Secretary of State
[Translation]
Washington,
February 8, 1918.
Mr. Secretary of State: My Government advises
me that in its opinion the dual jurisdiction over claims provided by
Carranza’s decree of November 24 offers but inadequate guaranties to
foreign claimants.
For instance, Mexican corporations whose capital is foreign are barred
from appeal to the arbitral commission and the membership of the
commission itself is entirely left to the arbitrary will of the Mexican
Government.
The Government of the Republic particularly wishes to point to Articles
5, 8, 12, 14 and 17 of the said decree as calling for the most formal
reservations in any event.
I should be thankful to your excellency if you would kindly enable me to
report to my Government the American Government’s views in this respect
and, if you deem it possible, acquaint me with the purport of the
instructions you shall have sent on the subject to the representative of
the United States in Mexico.
Be pleased [etc.]
The Acting Secretary of
State to the French Ambassador (
Jusserand)
No. 2090
Washington,
March 5, 1918.
Excellency: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note of February 8,
1918, in regard to President Venustiano Carranza’s decree of
November 24, 1917, respecting the settlement of claims against the
Mexican Government.
You state that it is the opinion of your Government that the decree
does not offer adequate guarantees to foreign claimants, and you
invite my special attention to Articles 5, 8, 12, 14 and 17 of the
said decree. You say that you would be pleased to receive an
expression of this Government’s views regarding the matter, for
communication to your Government.
In reply I have the honor to say to your excellency that further
information has been requested from the Mexican Government with
[Page 801]
relation to the meaning of
Articles 5, 6, 7, 12 and 14 of the decree in question, and that no
definite position will be taken respecting the decree until the
Department shall be more fully advised in the premises.
However, it may be added that the Department is desirous of accepting
the plans of the Government of Mexico for the disposition of the
claims of foreigners if the Government of the United States finds
that this can be done with justice to the interests of American
citizens concerned.
Accept [etc.]
