Manuel C. Téllez

Manuel C. Téllez entered Mexico's Foreign Ministry in 1906 after studying at the National Preparatory School. His early assignments took him to consulates in the United States, Canada, and Japan. During the Mexican Revolution, he worked with Manuel Pérez Romero's mission seeking recognition for Venustiano Carranza in Japan. He subsequently helped restore diplomatic relations with Tokyo. ¹

Téllez joined the Washington embassy in 1920 and served through successive acting appointments before becoming ambassador in 1925. His work included organizing assistance for unemployed Mexicans returning home and signing the 1923 General Claims Convention. He remained in Washington until 1931, through disputes over land, petroleum, and revolutionary claims. ¹

In October 1924, Téllez formally requested removal of the American naval coaling station at Pichilingue Bay in Baja California within six months. His note argued that the original permission had lacked constitutional authority and that the station's continued operation conflicted with Mexican law; he stressed that the request did not express hostility toward the United States. ²

After serving as interior secretary, Téllez became foreign secretary in 1932. He directed consular protection and repatriation efforts during the Depression. A proposed border settlement with Ambassador J. Reuben Clark drew cabinet objections over territorial concessions and precipitated his resignation. His subsequent posting covered Italy and Hungary. ¹