File No. 812.63/125.
A. J. McQuatters, for the Committee of Mine and Smelter Operators Association, to the Secretary of State.
I refer to the various letters and telegrams that have passed between this Committee and your Department with reference to a decree issued on March 19, 1915, affecting conditions under which title to mining property is had in the Republic of Mexico, in connection with which law you have had your representative make representation to the de facto authorities in the State of Chihuahua and which law we understood would not be applied in so far as it affects the legitimately acquired property of foreigners in the Republic. We now beg to inform you that we have been advised by Francisco Escudero, in charge of the Department of Finance and Public Works, that the law is in effect and will be applied unless exemption is made in each specific case as provided therein. I desire to reiterate here our former statements to you that this appears to be the first important step towards ultimate confiscation of mineral properties owned by foreigners in the Republic of Mexico, and respectfully request that you take such further steps as may be deemed advisable to protect American interests.