In reply, there is enclosed a copy of a memorandum setting forth certain
information with regard to the aeroplanes in question.
[Enclosure]
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the
Division of Mexican Affairs (Tanis)
[Washington,] January 8, 1927.
In a note dated October 15, 1926, the Mexican Embassy at this capital
informed the Department that the Mexican Government was negotiating
with the Douglas Company of Los Angeles, California, for eight
aeroplanes of the type used by the United States Army. The note
contained a request that the necessary permits be granted by the
appropriate authorities of this Government to have these aeroplanes
supplied with equipment for bombardment, photography, electrical
installation, etc.
Under date of November 30, 1926, the Collector of Customs at Nogales,
Arizona, telegraphed this Department64 that the Mexican Government,
through the Mexican Consul at Nogales, had requested permission to
export eight aeroplanes for use in the Yaqui campaign. On December
1, 1926, this Department sent the following telegram to the
Collector:
“It is stated by the Mexican Embassy that eight aeroplanes
with equipment which the Mexican Government desires to
purchase from the Douglas Company at Los Angeles are now in
the Customs at Nogales. Permits for the entry of these
planes and equipment have been requested by the Mexican
Embassy. Pending further consideration of this matter, you
will please exercise especial diligence in order to prevent,
through misunderstanding or otherwise, any possibility of
these planes being flown into Mexico without especial
authorization from this Department.”
In response to a telegraphic inquiry of the 24th ultimo,65 however,
[Page 238]
the Collector reported in a telegram
of the same date65a
that four aeroplanes, non-military type, were exported on November
30, by railroad, and that the whereabouts of the other four
aeroplanes was not known but that they had not been offered for
exportation at Nogales. The Collector has since informed the
Department, under date of December 29, that the four aeroplanes in
question were then being stored in a warehouse at Nogales and that
he would keep them under surveillance.
Under date of December 28, 1926, the Department of State informed the
Secretary of the Treasury65a that, after further consideration, it had been
determined to reimpose the embargo upon aircraft of every
description destined to points in Mexico without regard to the
purpose for which such aircraft may be intended. At the same time
the Treasury Department was requested to instruct the various
collectors of customs accordingly.
