Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 7, 1915

File No. 312.115/209.

The Secretary of State to Consular Agent Phillips.

Department of State,
Washington, May 19, 1915.

Sir: Referring to your despatch of February 25, 1915, saying [etc.], the Department encloses a copy of a despatch⁸⁴ from the Consul at Hermosillo in regard to this matter.

The Department is of the opinion that it would be useless to make representations at the present time to any de facto authorities in Mexico with a view to procuring a refundment to American citizens who contributed to the forced loan in question. It would appear, however, that such American citizens might do well to file with the Department claims against the Mexican Government on account of the amounts so paid by them and if the Department shall receive such claims, prepared according to the instructions contained in the circular entitled “Claims against foreign governments” dated March 5, 1906, it will, in due time, give the claims careful consideration with a view to determining whether diplomatic intervention in support thereof is justifiable.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:

Wilbur J. Carr.

84. No. 737 of April 30.