File No. 412.11/14.

The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.

No. 762.]

Sir: With reference to the general subject of American claims growing out of the recent revolution, and especially to the Department’s instruction No. 422 of the 12th ultimo, I have the honor to enclose to the Department a copy of an amended letter based upon [Page 938] the Department’s most recent instructions, which is being sent to all American claimants as occasion demands, I beg to enclose also a sample copy of the notes comprising the brief statement of each claim on file at the Embassy, which the Department directed me to submit to the Foreign Office, and also a copy of the usual reply made by the Foreign Office to each note that is sent in.

I have [etc.]

Fred Morris Dearing.
[Inclosure 1.]

The American Embassy’s revised circular claims letter.

Sir: The Embassy has received your recent letter in regard to your claim for damages suffered on account of the late revolution and will in due time bring your claim to the attention of the Mexican Government. In the meantime, in accordance with instructions from the Department of State at Washington, I enclose to you a copy of a circular prescribing the manner in which claims should be prepared, calling your particular attention to the great importance of conforming as nearly as possible to its rules and the necessity of strengthening the evidence of your losses in every way in which this may be done. Upon receipt of your claim properly prepared two copies thereof will be placed in the Embassy’s files and the third will be transmitted to the Department of State, for its consideration and subsequent instructions in the matter to the Embassy.

The Department of State has been informed that the Government of Mexico has taken steps to create a commission to consider revolutionary claims, and directs the Embassy to notify all American claimants that if this information proves accurate and a satisfactory commission is organized it will be necessary, in all probability, for claimants to present their claims personally to this commission.

I am [etc.]

Fred Morris Dearing.
[Inclosure 2.]

The American Charge’ d’Affaires to the Sub-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

No. 850.]

Mr. Sub-Secretary: Acting under instructions from my Government, I have the honor to submit to your excellency the following brief Statement relative to the claim of the American Grocery Company S. A. against the Government of Mexico for losses growing out of the disturbances attendant upon the recent revolution. This statement will place your excellency in possession of all the essential facts concerning this claim.

As my Government has not yet determined precisely what will be its action in regard to claims, I beg to point out to your excellency that the submittal of this statement is not to be regarded as a presentation of such claim, and to say that formal presentation of the same will be made later when I shall have received the proper instructions from the Department of State at Washington. Statement:

Claim of the American Grocery Company S. A.

Amount of claim—One hundred and forty pesos, ($140.00).

The American Grocery Company S. A. makes claim against the Government of Mexico in the above amount on account of the destruction of the plate-glass windows of its premises at Avenida 16 Septiembre 12, Mexico, D. F., by a lawless mob at about 9.30 p.m. on May 24th, 1911, and supports its assertion that the said windows were broken by the mob by the sworn testimony of five eyewitnesses. The cost of the windows destroyed is vouched for by the firm of E. Pelandini and Son, who are dealers in plate-glass for windows.

I avail [etc.]

Fred Morris Dearing.
[Page 939]
[Inclosure 3.—Translation.]

The Sub-Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the American Chargé d’Affaires.

No. 152.]

Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: This office has received your note No. 850 of the 28th instant, relative to the claim that will be presented by the “American Grocery Company S. A.” for damages suffered as a result of the disturbances occasioned by the late revolution.

In reply I have the honor to say to you that the matter has been duly noted and will be decided at the appropriate time in accordance with the principles of international law.

I have [etc.]

B. Carbajal y Rosas.