File No. 283/61–64.
The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington, March 13, 1907.
Most Excellent Sir: With reference to note No. 142, dated November 30, 1906, from the Department of State, respecting the suspension of the surveillance exercised by a detachment of armed [Page 847] forces to prevent, as far as possible, the smuggling of arms and ammunition for the Yaqui Indians and their agents, I am sorry to have to inform you that the smuggling has been resumed on the Arizona border, as may be seen from the copy of the official communications, from the Department of War, marked inclosures, and from the consul of Mexico at Tuscon, marked 2 and 3.a
This terrible war of the Yaqui Indians constitutes a constant danger and menace to the residents of Sonora, Mexicans and aliens, and has unfortunately made victims at the various times when the Indians rose in war-like mood.
The Government of Mexico is putting forth every effort to bring to an end this war of the savage against humanity and civilization and has accomplished much in late years, but there are still roving scattered parties of Indian rebels who do no harm when they lack arms, but turn into fanatical fighters as soon as they can procure them. As the sale of rifles, carbines, and pistols and cartridges for the same is prohibited by section 362 of the statutes of Arizona of 1901, and as, on the other hand, the Government of the United States has evidenced its readiness to prevent the clandestine exportation of arms and ammunition for the Yaqui Indians, thus assisting in the maintenance of the neutrality laws and taking from the foes of the lives of Mexicans and Americans residing in the State of Sonora the means of making war, I trust that in this instance the Government of the United States will, as heretofore, lend its very important and valuable cooperation.
In view of the precedents herein referred to, of the requirements of the law, and of the arrangements made in similar cases by the American Government, I permit myself to bring these facts to your excellency’s knowledge to the end that you may be pleased to take such action as you may deem expedient.
Be pleased, etc.,
- Not printed.↩