File No. 812.512/948.
Mr. S. C. Neale to the Secretary of State.
Sir: As you are aware, on March 1st last a decree was promulgated by General Carranza fixing certain pertenencia taxes which in the opinion of my clients, the American Smelting and Refining Company of New York, were most unjust and which if the payment of the same were enforced would prove most detrimental to American interests in Mexico.
A petition dated November 10, 1915, of the American Mine Owners Association was transmitted to General Carranza by Mr. Amador, who was acting as the representative of the Mexican Government in the absence of Mr. Arredondo, and the result of this petition was that the enforcement of the Decree of March 1 has been suspended until December 31 next.
It has been stated to certain officials of the American Smelting and Refining Company in New York by Mr. Amador that the effect of the suspension of the Decree of March 1 last until December 31 next, acts as a “stay” to the payment of all taxes until an official decision has been rendered by the Mexican Government.
In view of the fact that there may be some question as to whether the suspension of the Decree of March 1 last will act as a “stay” to the payment of all taxes until a decision has been rendered by the Mexican Government, and because it is most important that American [Page 959] investments in Mexico shall not be placed in jeopardy, I venture to ask, upon behalf of the American Smelting and Refining Company, that the Department will obtain from Ambassador Arredondo an official expression of opinion as to whether the payment of taxes, as set forth in the Decree of March 1 last, is “stayed” until an official decision is rendered by the Mexican Government upon this very vital question to American interests.
Anticipating [etc.]