812.6363/469
The Chargé in Mexico (Summerlin) to the Acting Secretary of
State
Mexico, June 3,
1919.
[Received June
12.]
No. 2063Sir: With reference to the Department’s
telegrams No. 1921 of March 18, 6 P.M. and No. 1969 of April 16, 5
P.M. instructing the Embassy to protest against the circular issued
by the Department of Hacienda on February 19, 1919, in regard to the
proposed collection of royalties from petroleum companies and
against the possibility that denounced concessions might be granted
to third persons, I have the honor to forward herewith copy and
translation of a note received from the Foreign Office dated May 29,
1919, the substance of which was sent the Department in the
Embassy’s telegram No. 3006 June 2, 3 P.M.79
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Mexican Acting Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs (Garza Pérez) to the American Chargé (Summerlin)
Mexico, May 29,
1919.
No. 1691Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of your notes dated March 20 and
April 21 of the current year which you were good enough to send
this Department, in accordance with instructions from your
Government, protesting against the Circular issued by the
Department of Hacienda on the nineteenth of February, last, in
connection with the collection of royalties from the petroleum
companies and against the possibility that concessions might be
granted to third persons who have denounced petroleum properties
rented by American companies.
[Page 599]
The Government of Mexico sincerely deplores the fact that the
American companies have ill advisedly failed to comply with the
laws which the former issued on the exploitation of petroleum,
since they could have done so under protest and with the
reservations that they might have considered compatible with
their interests, and could have appeared before the proper
authorities, requesting a detailed study of the question so that
it might be decided in justice and according to law.
Consequently, if the situation of the petroleum companies is
complicated by the denouncements made by third persons, the
companies mentioned are doubtless the only ones to blame, since
it must be evident to your clear judgement that the protests of
a foreign nation cannot suspend the effects of the laws issued
by the Government of another nation.
I renew [etc.]
