[Inclosure 1.] The manner in which the Constitutionalists propose to settle claims for damages arising out of revolutionary conditions. CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES. Venustiano Carranza, First Chief of the Constitutional Forces, to all the inhabitants of the Republic-Take notice: By virtue of the extraordinary powers conferred upon me, I have issued the following decree: ARTICLE I. We recognize the right of all natives and foreigners to demand payment for all losses sustained during the revolution of 1910, that is to say, for the period between November 21, 1910, and May 31, 1911. ARTICLE II. We recognize the equal right of natives and foreigners to demand damages for losses that they have suffered and which they may suffer during the present troubles; that is to say, from February 19, 1913, until the restoration of Constitutional order. ARTICLE III. We recognize the same right of foreigners to demand payment for damages suffered through the revolutionary forces or armed groups during the period between May 31, 1911, and February 19, 1913. ARTICLE IV. As soon as the First Chief of the Constitutional Army reaches the capital of the republic, and in accordance with the Plan of Guadalupe assumes executive power, he will appoint a commission of Mexican citizens charged to receive, discuss and liquidate all demands that may be made for damages suffered in the periods mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 of this decree. ARTICLE V. At the same time he will name a commission as mentioned in the previous article in accord with the diplomatic representatives or special representatives that may be commissioned by each government to which the foreign claimants belong, and will proceed to name a mixed commission including an equal number of Mexicans and foreigners, the latter belonging to the nationalities of the claimants, for the purpose of receiving, discussing and liquidating all demands that may be presented in accordance with the first three articles of this decree. ARTICLE VI. The form, time, terms and conditions under which shall be paid the claims for damages which may be presented, as well as the organization, procedure and other matters connected therewith, shall be decided by the commissions and shall be upheld by a special law which will be passed at an opportune time. Let this decree be published and circulated and given due heed. MONCLOVA, May 10, 1913. VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, First Chief of the Constitutional Forces. [Inclosure 2.] Circular No. 3. RESPECTING THE PERSONS AND PROPERTY OF FOREIGNERS. In view of the fact that public opinion throughout the country has been strongly unified and that the Mexican people have with patriotic enthusiasm embraced the idea of the Constitutionalist cause; and it being expedient to avoid as far as possible the damages and losses brought about by all armed movements, and to avoid also all possible conflicts that may arise between the Republic of Mexico and any foreign country for damages that may be caused to its citizens, either personally or to their property-I hereby command, as First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army, that all officers in command of forces endeavor by all possible means to prevent their subordinates and inferiors from taking and disposing of any property pertaining to foreigners, and that they shall take especial care of the persons of foreigners, using all patriotic zeal. Only in cases of extreme necessity and when the taking is fully justified shall those officers and chiefs take and dispose of supplies for their troops, giving the necessary receipts for the same. Communicate this to all military officers for their strict observance. PIEDRAS NEGRAS, COAHUILA, June 17, 1913. V. CARRANZA, First Chief of the Constitutional Forces. Circular No. 4. [Inclosure 3.] RECEIPTS FOR ARTICLES FURNISHED. It has come to my knowledge that some officers and chiefs of the Constitutionalist forces operating in the State of Durango have not issued any documentary evidence to the interested parties for the arms, horses, munitions of war, provisions and other articles demanded for the sustenance of the cause. All those chiefs and officers are hereby notified to issue receipts to the interested parties who shall demand them for all articles given them heretofore, and hereafter they shall issue receipts for what may be given to them at the time of delivery. The First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army desires to take only those things that are necessary for the maintenance of the forces, giving the neces sary receipts, in order that their value may be paid at the triumph of the cause. This notice is hereby given to all chiefs operating in the Republic. CANATLAN, DURANGO, August 10, 1913. V. CARRANZA, First Chief of the Constitutional Forces. Circular No. 5. [Inclosure 4.] ALL PECUNIARY ASSISTANCE TO BE REPAID. All persons and institutions who have given any kind of pecuniary assistance to the Constitutionalist chiefs and officers for the organization and maintenance of their forces, and who may not have the necessary receipts, are hereby notified to call upon the above chiefs and officers in order that the necessary documents may be given them, so that their value may be fixed and they may be paid at the triumph of the Constitutionalist cause. CANATLAN, DURANGO, August 10, 1913. V. CARRANZA, First Chief of the Constitutional Forces, Tile No. 412.00 32. The American Chargé d'Affaires to the Secretary of State. No. 2138.] AMERICAN EMBASSY. Mexico, December 10, 1913. SIR: Referring to the Department's instruction No. 1447 of October 15, 1913, I have the honor to inform you that both the French and Russian Governments have definitely refused to accept the proposition made by the Mexican Foreign Office under date of July 22, 1913, in the matter of the claims of their nationals against Mexico growing out of the disorders therein, and have informed the present administration here in this sense. In the event of my being able to procure more definite details in the premises I shall forthwith inform you. I have [etc.] NELSON O'SHAUGHNESSY. This is the date of the meeting described in the inclosure to Mr. O'Shaughnessy s despatch of October 1. CHAMIZAL CONTROVERSY.1 File No. 711.1215/372. No. 427.] The Mexican Embassy to the Department of State. [Translation.] The Embassy of Mexico has the pleasure of presenting its compliments to the Department of State and the honor to inform it, under telegraphic instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Relations, that the Government of Mexico, hearing that the Pearson firm proposes to establish industrial plants on a lot in the Chamizal zone, hastens to bring the matter to the attention of the American Government, having no doubt that it will, with its customary sense of justice, intervene to maintain the status quo now existing in the zone until the international boundary line ordered by the award of the Arbitration Tribunal that decided the case shall have been established. MEXICAN EMBASSY, 2 Washington, October 3, 1911. File No. 711.1215/374. No. 510.] The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 12, 1911. 3 EXCELLENCY: The memorandum of the Department of State, replying to that of this Embassy dated September 12, concerning the Chamizal award, was received today. I am communicating its contents to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and am awaiting instructions before addressing your excellency again on the subject. Meanwhile I have [etc.] GILBERTO CRESPO Y MARTÍNEZ. File No. 711.1215/372. The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy. MEMORANDUM. The Department of State has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the memorandum of the 3d instant in which the Embassy of Mexico states [etc.] The Department would be glad to be informed by the Embassy in what respect it is supposed that the proposed action by the Pearson 1 Continued from For. Rel. 1911, pp. 565-605. See also For. Rel. 1912, p. xix. for reference in the Address of the President to Congress; and pp. 706-707 for reference by President Madero in his Message to the Mexican Congress. For. Rel. 1911, pp. 573-587. 3 For Rel. 1911, pp. 604–603. October 6, 1911. The memorandum under acknowledgment is that of firm violates the arrangement for the maintenance of the status quo as set forth in the Department's note of March 22, 1910, the Embassy's note of June 9, 1910, and the Department's note of June 17, 1910.8 With reference to the concluding portion of the Embassy's memorandum, attention is drawn to Article 8 of the convention for the arbitration of the Chamizal case, signed June 24, 1910, and to the recent correspondence with the Embassy setting forth the views of the Department with regard to the award rendered in that case. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 18, 1911. File No. 711.1215/389a. The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador. No. 671.] 6 DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 11, 1911. SIR: I enclose herewith a copy of the reply of the Embassy of Mexico to the Department's memorandum of October 6, 1911, in regard to the Chamizal controversy, which was communicated to you by this Department's No. 576 of October 13, 1911. I also enclose a copy of the Department's latest memorandum to the Embassy concerning the same case. You are requested to keep in touch with the matter at the Mexican Foreign Office, and to make such informal and oral representations from time to time as may be deemed appropriate, to the end of expediting favorable action on the part of the Mexican Government. I am [etc.] HUNTINGTON WILSON. File No. 711.1215/391. The Secretary of the International Boundary Commission to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] EL PASO, TEXAS, December 14, 1911. Land in Chamizal tract desired for use of Pearson Plant covered by suits numbered 441 to 451 inclusive in trespass to try title brought in United States Circuit Court western district Texas fall term 1906. by Texas and Pacific and El Paso and Northeastern Railroads against some sixty-two defendants. Sequestration writs issued in all these cases and Marshal took possession of all property on February 15, 1907, except those parcels of land described in suit number 450 being occupied by Patricio Martínez, G. Baca and Aurelio Muñoz, who gave the necessary replevin bonds, and Santiago Granada, who was not properly served in first instance. On April 13 and October 10, 1 For. Rel. 1910, p. 716. 2 Id. 720. 8 Id. 721. For. Rel. 1911, p. 568. Id. 598 et seq. The note of October 12. Of October 18. as 1907, the United States District Attorney intervened on behalf of United States and asked for continuance, which were ordered by court with instructions that no further process or writ be executed until further ordered by court. And so these cases stand. Deputy Marshal Hillebrand advises me in writing that he is in possession of the land covered by suits with the exceptions above mentioned, and I have verified this by personal examination. Deputy Marshal states he can turn over property to railroads immediately upon receipt of instructions from Marshal to accept their bond. As Marshal was in possesison of this land on March 15, 1910, with exception of what [was] occupied by four parties above mentioned who will not now be disturbed, I am of opinion that the taking over of this land by railroads would not violate agreement for status quo, and recommend that Department cause Marshal to be given instructions to accept bond. Apparently to [no?] good purpose would be served either Government by continuing the present satisfactory [unsatisfactory?] conditions on the property in question, while great good will be done the communities on both sides of the river if this large enterprise be permitted to proceed with its plant. Mexican Commissioner telegraphed requesting intervention and I have written him advising him of facts in case. Unless I receive instructions to contrary will leave here Saturday. WILBUR KEBLINGER. File No. 711.1215/392. The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State. [Telegram-Translation.] MEXICAN EMRASSY, Washington, December 15, 1911. In compliance with urgent telegraphic instructions from my Government I beg your excellency to be pleased to interpose good offices to prevent Marshal Hillebrand from forcibly ejecting various occupants Chamizal zone, some of them holding Mexican titles, which would be an injury to Mexicans and a violation of the status quo. Department of [Foreign Relations of] Mexico was informed. CRESPO. File No. 711.1215/395a. The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy. MEMORANDUM, The Department of State ventures to recall to the attention of the Embassy of Mexico the recent correspondence with regard to the Chamizal case, more particularly the Embassy's memorandum of September 121, the Department's memorandum of October 62, the Embassy's response of October 123, and the Department's aidemémoire of August 24*. 1 For. Rel. 1911, p. 603. 3 See ante. For. Rel. 1911, pp. 598-600. |