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  4. Document 329

811.20 (D) Regulations/3275: Telegram

The Ambassador in Mexico (Daniels) to the Secretary of State

Mexico, July 11, 1941—3 p.m.
[Received 11:02 p.m.]

301. From Douglas and Boal41 for Feis42 and to be communicated to Clayton.43

Following is translation of the text of the decree submitted to President Avila Camacho for signature yesterday. It is planned that this would be published on July 15 and become effective then:

“Manuel Avila Camacho, Constitutional President of the United Mexican States, to its inhabitants, know ye:

That based on fraction 5 of article 12 of the organic law, of article 28 of the Constitution,44 and on article 22 of the customs law in effect; and considering:

That it is the decision of the Mexican Government to follow the tendencies established in the Habana Conference to achieve the tranquility and safety of the American countries;

That the exportation is inadvisable to the safety and tranquility of Mexico of certain products to countries which are not subject to a system similar to that established in this decree, or to legal systems the practical results of which are similar to those herein sought;

At the request of Mr. Boal, I have seen fit to issue the following.

Decree:

1.
The exportation is prohibited of the following products to all those countries which may not be considered as countries of the Americas, and shall cease further, to any other country which has not established export limitations the practical results of which are similar to those sought by this decree:
a.
Henequen; istle of lechuguilla, of maguey of mezcal and of palm; pita; similar fibers; binder twine and cables and cords manufactured with the above-mentioned fibers;
b.
Antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, zinc, cobalt, copper, fluorspar, tin, graphite, manganese, mercury, mica, molybdenum, lead, tungsten and vanadium, whether in material, concentrated or metallic form.
2.
The Department of National Economy, after consultation with the Department of Foreign Relations, shall determine which countries are those not comprised within the prohibition established in the preceding article; and shall fix the rules necessary for compliance with this decree.

  • Article 3. The exportation of products not included in the list contained in article 1 paragraphs a and b is free to any country and shall continue to be effected under the limitations and legal conditions which have been followed to the present time.
  • Article 4. This decree shall become effective on the day of its publication.

Make this known, published and complied with.

Given in the Palace of the Federal Executive Power on the 10th day of the month of July 1941.

The Constitutional President of the United Mexican States. The Secretary of Foreign Relations Ezekiel Padilla. The Secretary of Finance and Public Credit Eduardo Suarez. The Secretary of National Economic [Economy], Francisco Javier Gaxiola Junior.[”]

  • [Douglas and Boal]
  • Daniels
  1. Walter Douglas, former president of the Southern Pacific of Mexico, and Pierre de L. Boal, Minister in Nicaragua, temporarily in Mexico as U. S. representative in the export control discussions.↩
  2. Herbert Feis, Adviser on International Economic Affairs.↩
  3. William L. Clayton, Deputy Federal Loan Administrator.↩
  4. For translation of Constitution, see Foreign Relations, 1917, p. 951.↩