File No. 812.032/10.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Note.—The second message of President Madero was read to the Congress September 16, 1912, and transmitted to the Secretary of State September 18, 1912, by the American Ambassador.
[Page 708][Extracts pertaining to relations with the United States.—Translation.]
Public attention has been occupied greatly by the public disorders which have occurred during the last semester, since they might have had an influence in some manner on the cordial relations which up to date we have maintained with foreign nations.
As a matter of fact the criminal depredations committed in various parts of the Republic by armed groups which have placed themselves outside the law, committing acts now of rebellion, now of brigandage, have brought about on the part of victims of foreign nationality claims against the Mexican Government, directed by the representatives of their respective nations. The form in which the complaints have been presented has in nowise inspired any doubt or the least fear that our relations of friendship with foreign nations could suffer any alteration from this cause. Prudence, discretion, and serenity have been the characteristic mark of the conduct of the diplomatic agents accredited to Mexico in taking up these affairs, showing once more the esteem which their Governments and they themselves have for our country.
The Mexican Government, anticipating the investigation ordered by the united houses of the American Congress to fix and estimate the personal damages caused by the revolution of 1910 to citizens resident in El Paso, Texas, and Douglas, Arizona, ordered two of its consuls to compile with the greatest zeal the data for appraising the real damage and to set the amounts of the indemnities which should be forthcoming. The result was that only eleven persons presented claims in El Paso and six in Douglas for injuries received—in some cases because of acts imputable to their own negligence or their curiosity to witness a battle; in equity and in view of the damages suffered indemnities were fixed, the amounts of which were similar to those fixed by the American courts and by the Mexican and American chancelleries in cases where the damages, in part at least, are the fault of the victims. The matter is not yet ended, due to the exaggerated pretensions of those interested, who have thought to find in the commission appointed by the American Congress an unconditional support.