File No. 412.00/74

The Ambassador in Mexico ( Fletcher) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1710. Department’s telegram No. 1619, November 8, 6 p.m. Department’s instruction of March 8 communicated textually to Mexican Foreign Office in note dated March 29. Further information relative to certain provisions of decree requested by Embassy in notes of August 27 and October 21. No reply has been received to any of these notes.

Attitude of other governments is as follows: Great Britain holds the view that if the commission should prove a useful body it will be possible, in the interval of three years allowed by the decree, to see that claims of British subjects are duly presented, and have instructed their Legation to report on the subject every six months. If it finally be decided to refer British subjects to the commission their representatives have instructions to reserve rights in regard to British claims which do not come under Article 5. Up to the present no British claims have been presented to the commission.

France has made no decision. Italy reserves in general all rights for the protection of her nationals. Belgium will follow Washington.

Fletcher

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico ( Fletcher)

[Telegram]

1656. Your 1710, November 15. Press Mexican Government for consideration of your communications, and endeavor to obtain favorable reply in near future. Claims against Mexico are being revived with forceful insistence, and Department deems it very important that it should be in position to state that some progress has been made in the organization of a commission to which American claimants can be referred.

Lansing