Certain Spaniards at Matamoros.

Protection of person and property.

Summary.—The Spanish Consul at Tampico and the Spanish Minister at Washington, on June 20 and 24 respectively, requested of the [Page 913] Department the protection of the persons and properties of the family and firms of Armendáiz (Armendaráiz) at Matamoros, where there was no Spanish Consul. The American Consul at Matamoros was instructed to use his good offices to that end on June 23. (File No. 312.52/7 and 8.) There was some controversy with the Mexican authorities as to the Spanish citizenship of those concerned. (File Nos. 312.52/9, 10 and 12). On July 10 the Consul was instructed to use his good offices for the protection of the property of Modesto Arconada, Spanish subject and representative of Armendaiz Sucesores. (File No. 312.52/11.) On September 15 the Spanish Minister was informed of a report from the Consul saying that his repeated efforts to protect the property of Spanish subjects at Matamoros had met with little success, the position assumed by the Carranza party being that those hostile to them must make contributions. (File No. 312.52/28.)

Robbery by revolutionists.

Summary.—Complaint being made on behalf of E. Colsa Mora of robbery, the Consul was instructed on September 9 to make urgent unofficial representations to the Mexican authorities and to give such assistance as possible. (File No. 312.52/25.)

Confiscatory tax on cattle.

Summary.—The Spanish Ambassador on December 23 informed the Department that a tax of $10 per head had been placed on 2,000 cattle belonging to Señor de San Roman and other Spaniards. San Roman had telegraphed that “total ruin of Spanish interests in that region is inevitable unless the United States Government, the only one, apparently, respected by Carranza, is disposed once more to intercede on their behalf.” The Department on December 23 instructed the American Consul at Matamoros to remonstrate earnestly with Carranza or his representatives and say that “this Government looks with grave disfavor on unjustifiable discriminatory exactions such as that of which the Embassy complains. Such incidents can not fail to accentuate the present unfortunate condition of affairs in Mexico.” The Consul at Hermosillo, Sonora, was instructed in the same terms. (File No. 312.52/96.)

Spaniards at Torreón.

Summary.—The Spanish Minister on October 15 requested the Department to commend to the appropriate consul all Spaniards in Torreón in order to prevent injury to their persons and property. The Consuls at that point and at Durango were so instructed on the same date, the latter being also instructed to request Carranza to issue immediate orders for the adequate protection of all foreigners [Page 914] at Torreón. He responded, October 18, that Carranza had informed the Consul at Hermosillo that “Spaniards in Torreón not implicated in politics will have same protection guaranteed them as Americans and all foreigners.” (File Nos. 312.52/30 and 33.)