§ 7. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has information to the effect that employés at the Tampico oilfields are being threatened by both contending parties in Mexico; and whether any British subjects have been slain since the death of Mr. Benton?
§ Mr. ACLANDI have no information to the effect that employés at the Tampico oilfields are being threatened. Both Generals Huerta and Carranza have allowed them to return and resume work, and General Huerta has issued definite orders that they are not to be interfered with. I regret to say that information has reached me from the Vice-Consul at Guadalajara that G. E. Williams has been killed and Patrick Baird slightly wounded near Hostotipaquilla, and S. H. A. Green killed at San Marcos—all are British subjects. The British Vice-Consul has been instructed to use his discretion as to advising foreigners to leave the State of Jalisco. I have asked for full details of the death of these two British subjects, and have just heard that Williams was killed at Ol Favor after a difficulty with native workers over a theft of silver bars. Nothing further is yet known by us as to how they were killed or who was responsible.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONMay I ask my hon. Friend if we have any cruisers at Tampico or Vera Cruz?
§ Mr. ACLANDI will ascertain the actual position of His Majesty's ships and let my hon. Friend know. We certainly have ships in these waters.
§ Mr. KINGIs the hon. Gentleman aware that recent reports just to hand state that certain oilfields at Tampico are on fire?
§ Mr. ACLANDI am not sure that these reports do not come from American sources, where events are sometimes anticipated.