File No. 812.00/608.
[Untitled]
Washington, January 5, 1911.
Excellency: Referring to previous correspondence relative to alleged violations of the neutrality laws of the United States along the Mexican frontier, I have the honor to repeat, in paraphrase, for your excellency’s information, a telegram, dated December 30, 1910, received by the Attorney General from the United States attorney for the western district of Texas:
In reply to your telegram of December 28, since November 20 I have kept myself in close touch with Consul Ellsworth with regard to the activities of Mexicans near the border, and have received almost daily reports from Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Presidio, and El Paso, through the offices of the United States [Page 384] marshal and the customs authorities. Practically the same reports have been sent to the heads of the respective departments in the State of Texas, who in turn have forwarded them to Washington. At the present time there is considerable activity on the Mexican side of the river near Presidio by revolutionists, and no doubt there are numerous sympathizers among the Mexicans on the American side of the border. Up to the present time however the reports contain no evidence that men with arms have crossed the river; that attempts have been made to organize anywhere on the American side; or that any acts constituting violation of the neutrality laws have been committed. All officials of the United States in this vicinity along the border have shown much vigilance, and any persons against whom reasonable evidence of the violation of the neutrality laws may be secured will be promptly arrested.
Accept, etc.,