Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

812.6363/12–744

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

No. 21905

México, D.F., December 7, 1944.
[Received December 12.]

Sir: I have the honor to refer to the previous reports from this Embassy regarding the expropriation of petroleum enterprises in Mexico, and to transmit herewith the Spanish text and a full translation⁸² of a decree dated December 1, 1944, as published in the Diario Oficial of December 2, 1944.

This decree establishes that Petróleos Mexicanos, the Government owned and managed petroleum monopoly in Mexico, shall, as originally envisaged, ultimately pay the indemnities occasioned by the expropriation of petroleum enterprises, but recognizes the inability of the company to make payments except on an installment basis, the Federal Treasury meanwhile advancing the funds necessary for this purpose.

Respectfully yours,

For the Ambassador:

David Thomasson

Second Secretary of Embassy

82. Not printed.