File No. 812.00/1391.
The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.
The Department gave the following to the press to-day:
The Department of State declines to comment upon press telegrams from Mexico on the subject of the reply to the representations of the American Embassy under its instructions of April 14 to call attention to the need for instructions to prevent further danger to American life and property, as in the Douglas incident. Neither the text of the embassy’s note nor of the Mexican reply is before the Department. From a brief telegram received from the embassy on the subject1 it appears that orders have been given through the Mexican war department to prevent firing that might endanger American life and property in Douglas, and that the Mexican Government has expressed itself as deploring the incident in question.
It is inferred from the embassy’s telegram that there is some discrepancy between the news which has reached the two capitals as to various particulars connected with the Douglas incident.
You will observe that the Government of the United States is disposed patiently and carefully to minimize the dangerous irritation that might result from failure of the authorities of either country to make clear its true policy and the reciprocal friendship of the two countries, as to which, as far as the United States is concerned, Mexico has recently had so many proofs.
Aside from other considerations, if the Mexican note should be found inconsistent with the principle above set forth, its publication would be a surprise to this Government.
You will be guided by this instruction in your conversation with the minister for foreign affairs.
In regard to your telegram of April 20, noon,1 you will refrain from giving the press your note.2