Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-05-29
AMERICANS IN
TAMP|CO SEND
STRONG PROTEST
Oil Operators Say Mexican
Authorities Are Issuing De-
crees Designed TO Prejudice
u. S. Citizens,

inv .o@,nsa IoUsnsl sssc,Al lsssso wisti
Wehinaton May 2s.-~On the eve
of the receipt Of General Carranza'e
new note, which officials believe will
renew the demand for withdrawal OF
American troops from Mexico ana
with another conference between
American and Mexican military com
manders about to begin. a protest was
received al the white House today
reporting serious differences between
American oil operators al Tamplco
and the Mexican authorities.
Tho protest came In the form Of q
telegram addressed 10 President VIII
son by cighty-four American citizens
residing at TampicO, who had held a
mass meeting and determined to lay
their caae before the government
They declared the Mexican military
officials we're promulgating DEGREES
designed TO make II impossible for
Americans to do business in the coun-
try and told how one Of their number
had been arrested and imprisoned for
three hours because he refused to pay
hIs employees wages fixed by the an
thbrities in excess Of terms previously
agreed upon with the men.
Claim Right TO Protection.
Tho signers of the message asserted
their right 10 protection from the
American government and announced
their determination not 20 comply
with arbitrary and confiscaiory orders
aud DEGREES by the Mcxieans.
White House officials sent the pro-
teat 10 the state department for inves
tigation. Other complaints already
haye been received regarding recent
dacres by the Carranza government
and II Is probable that there VIII be
representations on the subject jurt asI
soon as the controversy over the
presence Of American troops In Mex
leo Is adjusted.
"It has become practically lmpos.
sihle for an American TO do business
Of any nature IN this section of tho
country the 1'ampico message said
"becnuse OF the restrictions placed by
the authorities that we believe 10 DC
directed primarily against American
citizens. For year . series OF dctrecs
have made their appearance which
hive been progressive In that they are
consistently becoming more anti
American. We believe that the au-
thorities had not the remotest idea,
when they first begun to issue such
decrees. that they would be able to en-
force them, but when nothing wis
done by our government to secure I
their repeal that these edits have been
made more stringent each day until
now our property iH threatened with
confiscatioH, aud In some cases has
been actually confiscated aud our peril
sonal liberty IL menaced.
Americans Disseminated Against.
"A military decree was issued some +
months ago providing that lands
might not be leased in the state Of T
Vera Cruz for oil purposes without the +
consent Of the state government, ana
this decree has been modified until
now no foreigner Is permitted TO ae-
Quire leases, real estate or assignments
OF leases from a native, In this state
an American may not acquire real es-
tate nor may he lease land from "A
Mexican. nor viii he even be permit
ted TO lease house or apartment for
over one year without a special per-
init The military government Of this
state has instructed the stamp office
not 20 issue certificates OF transfer
where one American sells to another
and the governor refuses 90 certify
TO the signature OF the notary In any
contract or other instrument in which
an American appears. The effect Of
this procedure Ia 90 prevent Ameri-
cans from transferring their property
10 other foreigners.
Arbitrary Money Value
"A decree was issued few days
ago by the local military authorities
providing that labor should be paid
and that merchandise should be sold
on basis OF Mexican gold, the consid
Grafton TO be paid In Mexican paper
money at an arbitrary value fixed by
the government. regardless of TIM
commercial value OF this paper money
as regulated by supply aud demand.
"All OF the above DEGREES violate
Mexican law and are in eontravention
Of the rights az Americans guaranteed
NY treaty between Mexico and the
Cnited states We desire 60 know tf
the American government will permit 4