§ Sir H. CROFTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statements purporting to emanate from the representative of General Obregon to the effect that Mexico has not repudiated her foreign obligations, he is aware that £2,500,000 bonds issued in 1913 by the Government of President Huerta, when fully recognised by Great Britain, together with £1,600,000 of so-called packing bonds unconditionally guaranteed by the same Government, and over £5,000,000 of claims by various rail way companies, the majority of all which liabilities are towards Englishmen, remain dishonoured; and whether, in view of the fact that the American creditors of Mexico succeeded in obtaining the settlement of the debts of Mexico held by them before the Government of the United States of America accorded recognition to President Obregon, he will make the settlement of these and similar claims a condition precedent to recognition?
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§ Mr. PONSONBYThe facts are in general as stated, although the precise figures of the British claims against Mexico are necessarily conjectural; in reply to the last part of the question, it is not the case that the American creditors of Mexico succeeded in obtaining the settlement of the debts of Mexico before the United States accorded recognition to President Obregon; recognition was, in fact, accorded prior to the signature of the conventions providing for the establishment of claims commissions These claims commissions have not yet been set up.