600.127/226
Mr. Frederic N. Watriss to the Under Secretary of State (Fletcher)
[Received August 6.]
Dear Sir: I thank you for your letter of August 3rd, 1921, to which I am glad to reply in the affirmative with this proviso. Construing your suggestion literally, you suggest that Mr. Summerlin be instructed to say to the authorities in Mexico that the Oil Companies [Page 452] would like to undertake negotiations with them concerning taxes; to such suggestion the Mexican Government will either pay no attention or the President will indicate a willingness to see us; in the latter event we should appear before him as suppliants to request a reduction in taxes with the result that he will undoubtedly refuse inasmuch as he will see in the request evidence that we are on the run.
If, however, your Department could represent to the Mexican Government that you are anxious to re-establish friendly relations between the Mexican Government and the Oil Companies in the interest of trade between the two countries; the Mexican Government must treat your suggestion with respect, particularly if they understand that back of such suggestion from you there is a possibility that this Government will be forced to take some action.
Please read the enclosed copy of a letter to the Secretary of State66 and see if it does not suggest a possible course of action.
Possibly I have not expressed myself clearly, but if there is to be a conference, I should like the invitation to come from the other side in order that we may not start at a disadvantage.
Sincerely yours,
- Not printed.↩