File No. 312.115/230.
Consul Canada to the
Secretary of State.
No. 1347.]
American Consulate,
Vera Cruz,
November 19, 1915.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
enclosed a clipping from the daily newspaper El Pueblo of Mexico City,
November 17, 1915, which consists of a notice quoting a decree of
November 7, 1915, issued by Mr. Venustiano Carranza, First Chief [etc.],
stating that the Government will acquire the cotton crop in the Laguna
district this year; and a translation of the same.
I have [etc.],
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Decree confiscating the Lagunera cotton
crop.
I, Venustiano Carranza, First Chief [etc.], considering that in order
to prevent the cotton textile industry of the country from becoming
paralyzed it is indispensable that the Government acquire the
harvest of this fibre gathered in in the region of La Laguna and
place the same within the reach of textile manufacturers, inasmuch
as they are confronted by serious difficulties in acquiring cotton
directly, and because the importation of foreign cotton would bring
grave economic evils; and considering that the urgent desire to
prevent the paralysis of the cotton industry is in accord with the
Constitutionalist Revolution and of the Government emanating
therefrom in their purpose to favor the working classes, among whom
textile workers occupy an important place; and considering that such
workers would be left without a means of livelihood except for the
measure herein contemplated—have seen fit to decree the following:
- Article 1. The Government will acquire, by agreement with
the proprietors, all the cotton proceeding from this year’s
crop in the region of La Laguna.
- Article 2. In case no agreement is arrived at with the
proprietors, the fibre referred to in the foregoing article
is declared subject to expropriation for the public
good.
- Article 3. The expropriation will be affected by the
Government according to the principles set forth in the Law
of September 3, 1893, so far as they are applicable.
- Article 4. The cotton acquired in pursuance of this decree
will be distributed to the textile mills in the proper
proportion, with the view that the mills may not cease
operations; and at equitable prices, to be fixed by the
Department of the Treasury.
- Article 5. The Military Instructional Judges, acting as
District Judges with jurisdiction in the cotton-producing
sections, are the proper authorities to preside over such
expropriation proceedings as it may be necessary to
establish.
- Article 6. All sale contracts or agreements which
interfere with the rights of the proprietors over the cotton
herein referred to, and which are made subsequent to the
promulgation of this decree, will be null and void.
Done in Sabinas,
Coahuila, November 7, 1915.
V. Carranza.
