812.504/1424
The Consul at Ensenada (Smale) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 27.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatch No. 702 of June 12, 1933,19 which reported rumors of the intended expulsion from the Northern Territory of Baja California of Chinese residents. The Department now is informed that definite steps are being taken by the civil population in Ensenada, and, by report, in Tijuana and Mexicali, to this end. A circular distributed in Ensenada yesterday reads as follows, in translation:
“Mexicans—Awake!
“The Nationalist Committee has been Legally Constituted in this Port.
“The Anti-Chinese campaign will begin immediately with full force.
“It is a Matter of Hours.
“Families soon will receive all classes of well presented literature; but at once must abstain from patronizing the asiatic element. “Our campaign will be carried out energetically until it triumphs. “Mexican Commerce is United.
“There is no one to fear.—Our being Mexican compels us and reason and right assist us.
“The Nationalist Committee of Ensenada.
“Ensenada, B. C, January 23, 1934.”
A copy of the circular in Spanish is enclosed herewith.19
A meeting is to be held tonight, at which further plans are to be discussed. Reports received at the Consulate indicate that if Chinese merchants do not close their shops and depart from this Territory, strong and illegal measures will be employed to cause them to do so. While there are some who are in favor of ridding the communities of Chinese by excessive taxation and assessment of heavy fines for infractions of various provisions of the Mexican Labor Law, or other laws, it is doubtful that all elements will confine their activities to such a procedure.
Success of the project of the Nationalist (Anti-Chinese) Committee unquestionably will present to the United States the problem of dealing with Chinese refugees. The Consulate is writing today to the [Page 486] Chief Patrol Inspector, United States Immigration Service, Chula Vista, California, on this subject, and encloses herewith a copy of its letter.21
Should it be the policy of the United States to endeavor to prevent acts of violence against the Chinese upon the grounds that such acts would work a great hardship upon the United States Government, and should the Department authorize me to do so, it is possible that I could convince leaders of the Nationalist Committee that it would be wise for them to encourage the employment of legal means to solve their problems.…
Pending the receipt of instructions from the Department, the Consulate will but observe the facts.
Respectfully yours,