§ 3. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Tampico is now in the hands of the Carranza-Villa party; if so, whether the United States Government, to the sup port of which this party's present position is due, acknowledges responsibility for the protection of the oil wells and oil trade in the districts around and within reach of Tampico; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government will make representations to the United States Government with a view to the satisfactory safeguarding of this industry?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)Tampico was occupied by the Mexican Constitutionalists on 13th May. Without admitting as an accurate description of the facts all the statements contained in the hon. Member's question, I may say that representations have been made on several occasions lately to the United States Government to use their influence to secure the foreign oil and other interests from damage; and I am informed that the United States Government have taken measures to impress upon the Constitutionalist leaders the necessity of respecting these interests. Representations have also been made to the Constitutionalist leaders at Tampico by the Bear-Admiral commanding the Fourth Cruiser Squadron who received satisfactory verbal assurances as to the preservation of foreign property.