812.52 Agrarian Commission/168

Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of the American Republics (Bursley)17

Mr. Boal18 has telephoned from Mexico City to state that General Hay is expressing keen interest in expediting settlement of the agrarian claims. In this connection, General Hay has stated that Mr. Serrano is ill and must return to Mexico at once. Mr. Serrano will go to a small watering place about one-half days travel from Mexico City. General Hay asks that Mr. Lawson proceed to Mexico not later than June 15 in order to continue the conversations which Mr. Boal understands have already begun.

This sounds very much like a further attempt by General Hay to carry his point of having the conversations on agrarian claims in Mexico.

In view of all the circumstances, I think it is probably best for us to yield as gracefully as possible and to request Mr. Lawson to proceed immediately to Mexico City if it is the case that Mr. Serrano has left or is leaving for Mexico and it is necessary to carry on the conversations there. I think it would be advisable for me to telephone Mr. Lawson to ascertain the facts and then if they are as represented by General Hay, to request Mr. Lawson to proceed immediately to Mexico City for the purpose indicated.

  1. Addressed to the Chief of the Division of the American Republics and the Under Secretary of State.
  2. Pierre de L. Boal, Counselor of Embassy in Mexico.