812.52/5–2945
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico ( Messersmith )
Sir: Reference is made to despatch no. 2844 of May 29, 1945,10 from the American Consul General at Ciudad Juárez, Mexico,11 entitled “Audience with Governor Foglio Miramontes of Chihuahua Regarding Agrarian Affectations Involving American-owned Property Interests”. It appears that the Consul General has forwarded two copies of his despatch to the Embassy for its information.
There is enclosed herewith, for your information, a copy of an instruction12 which the Department is today forwarding to the Consul General in reply to his despatch.
This Government has consistently maintained that the recognized rules of international law and equity require the prompt payment of just compensation for American-owned property that may be expropriated. The Department is now of the opinion that henceforth as soon as you learn of any definitive expropriation of American-owned property in Mexico the Mexican Foreign Office should be promptly informed thereof, and that, at the same time, the Foreign Office should be requested to take prompt steps for the payment of adequate and effective compensation to the American owner prior to the occupation of the property.
Very truly yours,