File No. 611.129/47. The Secretary of State to Special Agent Belt. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 11, 1915. In several recent cases which Silliman, under instructions, brought to the attention of the de facto Government, he was told matters should be taken up with Governors of States in which they occurred. The Department considers that diplomatic representations to officials of political subdivisions, such as states or provinces, are regular only in exceptional cases, but should be made to the central government, and that it is the obligation of the de facto Government of Mexico, in keeping with established usage, to entertain and act upon representations made to it by this Department, concerning matters occurring in the several states of the Mexican Republic. Appropriately suggest this to General Carranza. File No. 812.00/16797b. LANSING. The Secretary of State to Mr. Parker, representing American interests in Mexico. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 11, 1915—4 p. m. 129. What information have you regarding activities of Zapata? Keep Department advised by brief telegraphic reports of important developments Mexico City and nearby places of which you have information. LANSING. File No. 812.00/16818. Mr. Parker, representing American interests in Mexico, to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] MEXICO CITY, November 18, 1915-4 p. m. 158. Department's 129, November 11, 4 p. m. Without reliable information relative Zapata Convention. Has undoubtedly split, part north and part south. Food conditions Mexico City temporarily improved but apprehension is felt new crop cereal will be exhausted soon throughout Republic. Many confiscations of houses. We have reason to believe friction exists betwen Gonzales and Obregon. Gonzales gone north to confer with Carranza. Currency situation continues to cause uneasiness. Mining tax decrees are a source of great criticism. The two most important features of criticism are that mining taxes are payable in Mexican gold worth some seven times the value of paper currency of forcible circulation and the injustice of increasing taxation on a business which for the most part is receiving entirely inadequate protection or no protection and therefore unable produce revenue. Equitable arrangement according to persons interested would appear to be entire exemption from taxes until protection afforded. Incoming mail arriving promptly. Railroad traffic very unsatisfactory. Reliable informant states a merchant paid twenty-two thousand pesos in freight and gratifications to move two cars of merchandise from San Luis Potosi to Mexico City in fourteen days. PARKER. File No. 812.00/16938. Special Agent Carothers to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] EL PASO, December 12, 1915. Third party movement has become very apparent here and is undoubtedly backed by Felix Diaz faction. Madero family appear to be actively connected with the movement, which is developing principally at New Orleans, San Diego, El Paso and Guatemala. * * * Serious dissension exists between Villa and several of his prominent generals and overtures are being made to them to deliver Juarez to the new party and establish a base there. File No. 812.00/16964. CAROTHERS. Consul Edwards to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] AMERICAN CONSULATE, The following communication was handed this Consul by Governor Fidel Avila, Military Governor of the State of Chihuahua, who had just returned from the State capital where he left General Villa, with the request that it be laid before the President. This office holds the original, of which this is a true copy, said original being signed in my presence by Fidel Avila. EDWARDS. [Translation.] Honorable WOODROW WILSON, President of the United States of the North, Washington, D. C. Having done all that lay in our power and in a becoming form bent our efforts toward having Don Francisco Villa relinquish the supreme command of the Conventionist Army, we have at last prevailed on the said General Villa to agree to leave the country on the understanding that Your Excellency will extend full guaranties to him. With that in view, General Villa has commissioned me to make the foregoing statement to you. I am awaiting Your Excellency's reply, and offer to you the assurances of my esteem and distinguished consideration. GENERAL FIDEL AVILA, Military Governor of the State. File No. 812.00/16971. Collector Cobb to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] EL PASO, December 18, 1915. Following substantial translation of telegrams exchanged between Avila and Obregon, just furnished by Carranza Consul. From Avila to Obregon: I have talked with General Francisco Villa and asked him that in consideration of the solemn moment in which our country has been placed [apparent omission] I firmly believe General Villa will retire completely from the supreme command of the Conventionist army, and on this important matter in which the future of Mexico is involved I wish to have a conference with you. I expect a prompt answer [etc.] Answer by Obregon: AVILA. The future of Mexico is written on the back of the bandit Villa, as we will make him retire. If the commanders and officers are disposed to surrender unconditionally, I will accept their surrender. Villa is outlawed. OBREGON. Carranza Consul believes Villa is coming north with view to crossing [to] the United States and quitting rather than go south and fight further. He will ask tonight that certain officers in Juarez be allowed to come to this side for conference. This request will be referred to General Pershing whenever made. Consul hopes for early and orderly turn-over. File No. 812.00/16969. Совв. Special Agent Carothers to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] EL PASO, December 19, 1915. Conferences are being held today between Mexican Consul Garcia and General Villa regarding surrender of State of Chihuahua and agreement will probably be reached. Danger to Americans much diminished. Villa will probably come to United States taking advantage of your offer of refuge in the United States. File No. 812.00/16973. Collector Cobb to the Secretary of State. [Telegrams.] CAROTHERS. EL PASO, December 19, 1915-6 p. m. Sylvestre Terrazas and Generals Roberto Limon, Manuel E. Banda and G. Andalon, conferred with Carranza Consul Andrés C. Garcia here today. They represented Villistas army, and Garcia acted with authority from both Carranza and Obregon. It was agreed that amnesty be granted all Villa forces and that all Villa forces should declare allegiance to de facto Government. Parties to resume conference tomorrow to sign documents to above effect. They did not ask amnesty for General Villa, who is expected to quit Mexico although [no] agreement made to this effect. They will confer with Villa by telegraph tonight. All Villa forces expected to turn over promptly. In meantime Villa forces will not fight. Consul Garcia is handling negotiations splendidly. File No. 812.00/16976. Совв. EL PASO, December 20, 1915. My December 19, 6 p. m. Document just signed by Banda, Limon and Andalon representing Governor Avila, other officers and about 4,000 troops. Former General Yzabel Robles present and participating as sort of mediary. Turn-over expected in Juarez to-day and in Chihuahua in few days. Villa left Chihuahua with 800 men this morning; unknown destination. Совв. File No. 812.00/16986. Consul Simpich to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] AMERICAN CONSULATE, Nogales, December 21, 1915. General Obregon arriving Nogales tonight desires permission pass through United States to El Paso, wishes leave Nogales tonight. Suggest commanding officer Nogales, Arizona, be instructed. File No. 812.00/16986. SIMPICH. The Secretary of State to Consul Simpich. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Nogales, December 21, 1915-10 p. m. Your December 21. General Obregon is authorized to proceed to El Paso via American Territory, provided he travels as civilian and unarmed. So inform federal authorities on border, especially military authorities. File No. 812.00/17019. Collector Cobb to the Secretary of State. LANSING. [Telegram-Extract.] EL PASO, December 27, 1915. Obregon today mustering out former Villa soldiers in Juarez, with apparent entire success. Совв. File No. 812.00/17036. [Telegram.] EL PASO, December 31, 1915. Obregon will cross to Juarez tonight and go south early Saturday morning. He informs me that most of the men of Villa and Rodriguez have surrendered but that Villa and Rodriguez have so far escaped plan for their capture. Совв. EMBARGO ON THE EXPORTATION OF ARMS AND MUNITIONS OF WAR TO MEXICO, AND EXCEPTIONS THERETO. File No. 812.113/3704a. The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Treasury. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 9, 1915. This Department requests that you instruct the Collectors of Customs at El Paso, Texas. and other border ports to the west of that city, to detain, until the receipt of further advices from this Department, all shipments of arms and ammunition intended for use in Mexico. File No. 812.113/3704. ROBERT LANSING. The Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of State. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 9, 1915. SIR: I have the honor to state that, in accordance with the request in your telegram today, I have instructed the Collectors of Customs at El Paso, Nogales and Los Angeles by wire as follows: In accordance request State Department detain until otherwise instructed all shipments arms and ammunition intended for use in Mexico. By direction of the Secretary. Respectfully, No. 1315.] 54 WM. P. MALBURN. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION. Whereas, a Joint Resolution of Congress, approved March 14th, 1912, reads and provides as follows:-"That whenever the Presi dent shall find that in any American country conditions of domestic violence exist which are promoted by the use of arms or munitions of war procured from the United States, and shall make proclama 53 Continued from For. Rel. 1914, p. 649. 54 For. Rel. 1912, p. 745. |