Evening star., 1915-01-16
No Summary Execution for At
tempting to Bring Cattle
Across Mexican Border.
STATE DEPARTMENT HEARS
FROM CONSUL GARRETT
Secretary Bryan's Warning Regard
ing Oil Producing Plants Near
Tampieo Causes Flutter.

American COnSul GarTett, at Ldreuo,
sent renewed assurances today to the
State Department that there was no
danger of summary execution OF any
of the four American citizens arrested
several days ago for attempting to
bring cattle across the Mexican bor-
der without paying duty.
Secretary Bryan's warning to the
constitutionalists to refrain from in
reference with the oi-producing
plants near Tampico, Mexico, caused a
flutter in the local Mexican agencies.
The oil situation at Tampico was dis
cussed today by representatives OF Gen.
Carranza. with both the State Depart
Inent and the British embassy Ehseo
.Nrredondo, Carranza agent here, con-
ferred with the British ambassador, ana
Charles ~ Douglas. his attorney, with
Secretary Bryan. 1t was said that no
word had yet been received from Vera
Cruz, and that they were awaiting the
text of the CarranZa order before tax
ing any further steps in addition to the
representations already made.
Say Oil Producers Held Taxes.
At Carranza headquarters it was con-
tended that the foreign oil producers in
the Tampico district had involved them
selves in trouble because about two
months ago they had withheld the taxes
on production they had been paying to
the Carranza government in the belief
that Villa would soon be in possession
of the place.
Heretofore the State Department has
uniformly protected Americans in Mex
leo from the eXaction of double taxes.
1t forced Carranza to refrain from dou-
Bile taxation OF the Mexican merchants
in Vera Cruz, who had paid their Gus
toms duties once to the American Of
fcials.
Enrique c. Llorente. head of the Villa
agency. said he was authorized to state
that the Gutierrez government would re-
spect all concessions granted by all previ-
GUS constitutional governments in Mexico
and would restore any properties con-
fScated.
Hope to Save Oil Wells.
Administration officials were hopeful
today that the foreign-owned oil wells
around Tampico would not be confiscated
by Carranza officials as they had threat
ened. The chief of the constitutionalists
had been warned by the Washington gov
ernment that serious consequences might
follow should threats of confscation be
carried out.
Officials saw a solution of the prob
lem in victory for the Villa forces in
the battle. which is imminent. on the
outskirts of Tampico. in view of previ-
Gus assurances given by Villa-Gutier
reZ officials in that district.
The warning to Gen. Carranza was
sent last night following conference
between Secretary Of State Bryan, Sir
Cecil Spring-Rice, the British ambas-
sador, and representatives of American
oil concerns. 1t was explained that
confscation of their wells by Car
rama and that urgent representations
had been made to avert such action.
The American government realizes
ftr1 he of he cit fSnvp
Not only does the British feet depend
for much of its fuel on the Tampico
oil wells. but much of the product is
shipped to Texas for railroad use,
Some American oil companies, 1t is
said. have already been compelled to
shut down their plants because Of
decree of the Carranza government
which makes IL impossible for them to
operate without the consent of the
Mexican authorities, and forces them
to pay a heavy tax.
In addition, it is said, a virtual em-
barge has been placed on the exporta-
tion of oil by big English company
by Carranza officials.
Approves Presidents Speech.
Gen. Eulalio Gutierrez, head of the |
provisional government in Mexico City. |
has publicly expressed his approval of
that portion of President Wilson's
speech at indianapolis referring to
Mexican affairs. The text Of the au-
tograph letter by Gutierrez. which ap-
peared in the Mexico City press was
given out by the State Department last
evening. as follows:
THE Mexican people and my govern
ment have received with satisfaction
the opinions contained in the speech
of President Wilson at Indianapolis.
These opinions serve as further proof
Of the purity of his views President
Wilson's profound sympathy for our
people has always been appreciated by
us. In all incidents that have arisen
subsequent to his taking charge of the
administration this sympathy has been
invariably shown.
Eve have always had a feeling of
gratefulness to this great American
stateman for the just attitude assumed
by him in not doing anything to hinder
the struggle of a people in the efforts
made by them to sunder the bonds of
fanaticism and tyranny.
"A masters seat for the table OF the
world has been made of the great
capital by Mr.. Wilson. We trust that
as regards 1t the great majority of