File No. 412.00/65
The Belgian Minister (
Cartier) to the
Secretary of State
Washington,
April 6, 1918.
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The Belgian Government
has been informed that, on November 24, 1917, General Carranza has
issued a decree indicating the rules according to which claims for
damages resulting from revolutionary movements in Mexico from 1910 to
1917 will be settled.
My Government would like to know the attitude which the Government of the
United States has the intention to adopt in regard to the provisions of
the above-said decree.
Allow me to have recourse to your kindness. I would appreciate very much
if you would be so good as to enable me to comply with the wish
expressed by my Government.
I beg [etc.]
The Secretary of State
to the Belgian Minister (
Cartier)
Washington,
April 9, 1918.
My Dear Mr. Minister: I beg to acknowledge
the receipt of your note of April 6, 1918, in regard to President
Venustiano Carranza’s decree of November 24, 1918 [1917], respecting
the settlement of
[Page 808]
claims
against the Mexican Government, You request to be furnished with an
expression of this Government’s views regarding this decree.
In reply, I desire to say that further information has been requested
from the Mexican Government with 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.
I am [etc.]
