MEXICO REPRESENTATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES AGAINST MEXICAN AGRARIAN AND PETROLEUM LEGISLATION-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1925 Nov. 20 (245) Nov. 25 (264) From the Ambassador in Mexico (tel.) Opinion that the bill will be passed in the near future. Suggestion that the Department formulate its observations on the bill and send instructions, with a view to forestalling the possibility of Mexico claiming later that the United States never made a specific protest against the bill. To the Ambassador in Mexico (tel.) Instructions for further representations to be based on an aide-mémoire (text printed) setting forth the apprehension with which the bill is viewed by American holders of property rights in Mexico because of the features which appear to be retroactive and confiscatory. (Footnote: Information that aide-mémoire was presented on November 27.) 529 529 Nov. 27 (1415) From the Ambassador in Mexico 531 Transmittal of a bill regulating the petroleum industry in Mexico, passed by the Chamber of Deputies November 26 (text printed). 537 Nov. 30 Dec. 8 (1473) Dec. 12 (274) Dec. 16 (280) Dec. 22 (291) Dec. 31 (294) From the Mexican Ambassador Note from the Foreign Minister, November 26 (text printed), containing certain explanations in reply to the U. S. aidemémoire of November 17. From the Ambassador in Mexico Memorandum from the Foreign Minister, December 5 (text printed), replying to the U. S. aide-mémoire of November 27 and setting forth reasons for the Mexican contention that the law is neither retroactive nor confiscatory. To the Ambassador in Mexico (tel.) Substance of a conversation with the Mexican Ambassador (text printed), to be used, unless deemed inadvisable, as a basis of a conversation with the Foreign Minister. Request for opinion as to whether Department should file a formal protest against the petroleum bill and should make further reply to Foreign Office note of December 5. From the Ambassador in Mexico (tel.) Record of interview with the Foreign Minister in which U. S. position was reiterated; Foreign Minister's conciliatory attitude and his promise to call attention of the appropriate authorities to this exchange of views. Opinion that no reply to the Mexican memorandum of December 5 is necessary at present, but if either the alien land bill or the petroleum bill becomes law, then a formal note should be presented to prevent, if possible, passing of the other bill. From the Ambassador in Mexico (tel.) Passage of the petroleum bill by Congress. Instructions to present a first-person note (substance 540 547 550 551 552 MEXICO RENEWED NEGOTIATIONS FOR A SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE OVER THE RIO GRANDE BOUNDARY Date and number Subject Page 1924 May 9 (68) Nov. 8 (23) 1925 Feb. 19 (48) Apr. 30 (562) June 26 To the Ambassador in Mexico Instructions to endeavor to bring about an adjustment of the long-standing Chamizal case either through an unconditional relinquishment by Mexico of her claims to the tract, or if this could not be accomplished, by the conclusion of a convention; proposed draft of convention for settlement of the case and for the better definition of the international boundary at certain points along the Rio Grande (text printed). To the Ambassador in Mexico Proposed additional articles (texts printed) for the draft convention, with regard to the construction of a controlling river channel and the fixing of the international boundary line in the center of that channel. From the Ambassador in Mexico (tel.) Foreign Minister's assertion that Mexican Government does not relinquish its claim to the Chamizal tract; his assurance, however, that Mexico is desirous of receiving suggestions from the United States looking toward a settlement of the Chamizal case. From the Ambassador in Mexico Note from the Foreign Minister, April 27 (text printed), declaring Mexico's inability, for certain stipulated reasons, to enter into a consideration of the draft convention as submitted to it by the Department in a note dated February 19. From the American Commissioner, International Boundary Commission, United States and Mexico Minute No. 61 of a meeting of the International Boundary Commission, United States and Mexico, June 23 (text printed), recommending three cut-offs in the Rio Grande for the purpose of flood control, as requested by the city and county of El Paso, Texas. 554 566 568 569 574 Aug. 11 (176) To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) 577 Instructions to express to the Mexican Government the Aug. 13 (154) 578 Aug. 17 (183) Aug. 19 (983) From the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) Delivery of note to the Foreign Minister in the sense of telegram No. 176. Foreign Minister's insistence that the proposed cut-offs must await settlement of the general Rio Grande problem; promise, however, to give further consideration to U. S. note and reply as soon as possible. To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) Instructions either to bring the matter to the personal attention of the President or to request the Foreign Minister to do so, placing emphasis on recent losses on both sides of the border due to floods. From the Chargé in Mexico Foreign Minister's note, August 18 (text printed), containing Mexican Government's decision that the questions already pending should be settled by the International Boundary Commission before proceeding to the construction of the proposed cut-offs. 578 578 MEXICO RENEWED NEGOTIATIONS FOR A SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE OVER THE RIO GRANDE BOUNDARY-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1925 Oct. 26 (231) Nov. 16 (1362) To the Chargé in Mexico (tel.) Instructions to approach the Mexican Government again with a view to obtaining its approval of the Commission's recommendations. From the Ambassador in Mexico Note from the Foreign Minister, November 13 (text printed), replying to the further representations of the U. S. Ambassador and indicating that the Government is not prepared to sanction the immediate execution of the work proposed and stands substantially upon the note of August 18. 581 582 REMOVAL BY THE UNITED STATES OF ITS COALING STATION IN PICHILINGUE BAY AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO 1924 Oct. 15 From the Mexican Ambassador 584 Dec. 11 (82) 1925 Jan. 26 (275) Feb. 11 (187) Mexican Government's request that the U. S. Government remove within 6 months the coaling station now maintained in Pichilingue Bay, as its existence is incompatible with the fundamental laws of Mexico. To the Ambassador in Mexico Instructions to intimate to the Mexican authorities that the Government's request is being considered favorably and to say also that the United States would appreciate the renewal of the permission heretofore accorded to the U. S. Fleet to operate from the waters of Magdalena Bay during periods for which diplomatic arrangements would be made beforehand in each case. From the Chargé in Mexico Memorandum from the Foreign Minister, January 24 (text printed), setting forth desire that the United States should continue its attitude (as set forth by the Secretary of State in 1910) of not requesting new permits for Magdalena Bay, but asserting disposition to indicate the conditions to be observed if eventually the Navy Department should wish to solicit, as an exception, a permit relative to fleet maneuvers in Magdalena Bay. To the Ambassador in Mexico Instructions to inform the Foreign Office that the fuel depot in Pichilingue Bay will be permanently closed and relinquished in accordance with Mexico's wishes; also to convey U. S. appreciation of the Mexican assurance in regard to Magdalena Bay. 586 587 588 MOROCCO REFUSAL BY THE UNITED STATES TO ACQUIESCE IN THE APPLICATION OF THE STATUTE OF TANGIER 1925 Feb. 4 (325) May 31 To the Chargé in Morocco Instructions that the rights of the United States in the Tangier Zone are not to be regarded as modified by the application of the Statute of Tangier, pending receipt of satisfactory replies from France, Great Britain, and Spain to the Department's notes of December 20, 1924. From the French Ambassador Information that the Statute of Tangier, established through the Paris agreement of December 18, 1923, will go into effect on June 1. Page 590 591 May 31 (59-16) From the Spanish Ambassador 591 Information that the Statute of Tangier will go into effect June 1, and hope that the United States will recognize the new regime at the earliest possible date. May 31 (7) From the Chargé in Morocco (tel.) 592 June 1 (574) June 1 (5) Information that the Italian Minister has called a meeting of the Sanitary Council for June 3, in view of announced intention of the Shereefian Government to abolish the Council when the Statute of Tangier goes into effect on June 1. Request for instructions. From the British Ambassador Information that the Statute of Tangier will go into force June 1, and hope that the United States will agree as to the necessity of establishing a settled regime in Tangier without further delay. To the Chargé in Morocco (tel.) 592 June 4 (9) June 4 (399) June 11 (403) June 18 593 Instructions to attend the meeting of the Sanitary Council but to take no active part beyond entering full reservations of U. S. rights pending receipt of further instructions. From the Chargé in Morocco (tel.) 593 Report on attitude of the various representatives of the powers at the meeting of the Sanitary Council. 594 From the Chargé in Morocco Detailed account of events and attitude of the powers in connection with the abolition of the Sanitary Council; observations with regard to the inauguration of the Tangier convention, and expression of the hope, in informal conversations with members of the Committee of Control, that no attempt would be made to apply on June 1 the announced laws and taxation to U. S. citizens and protégés. From the Chargé in Morocco 598 Account of the proceedings accompanying the formal inauguration of the Tangier convention. 599 To the French Ambassador Department's inability to acquiesce in the action taken to MOROCCO REFUSAL BY THE UNITED STATES TO ACQUIESCE IN THE APPLICATION OF THE STATUTE OF TANGIER-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1925 Sept. 5 (17) Dec. 1 (364) Dec. 3 (74) From the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier To the Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Tangier U. S. refusal to assent to the imposition in the Tangier Zone of any such taxes upon U. S. nationals or protégés, pending the settlement of the position to be taken by the United States with reference to the Statute of Tangier. Authorization to instruct Americans as suggested. From the Ambassador in Spain (tel.) Information that the King, in an audience granted to the 600 601 602 RESERVATION OF AMERICAN RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO JOINT NAVAL VIGILANCE OF FRANCE AND SPAIN OFF THE MOROCCAN COAST 1925 June 25 (5330) June 29 (622) July 3 (5361) July 31 (297) From the Chargé in France Report that an agreement has been signed at Madrid providing for naval cooperation between Spain and France on the coast of Morocco. Outline of terms of the agreement. From the Ambassador in Spain Note verbale from the Foreign Office, June 26 (text printed), containing information of the conclusion of the agreement. From the Ambassador in France Two notes from the Foreign Office (texts printed) stating that the French and Spanish warships will insure strict observance of the international regulations prohibiting any access to the Moroccan coast outside of open ports and also any importation of arms or war material into Morocco; and defining the categories of sectors specified for surveillance. (Footnote: Similar notes from the Spanish Foreign Office, dated June 26 and July 2.) To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Instructions to inform the French Government that the U. S. Government does not recognize the right of either France or Spain to interfere with U. S. vessels outside the 3-mile limit, or with such vessels within the 3-mile limit except in the manner provided for in the Act of Algeciras. (Footnote: Similar instructions sent to the Ambassador in Spain.) 602 603 604 606 |