File No. 812.00/1619.
[Untitled]
American Embassy,
Mexico, April 29,
1911.
No. 509.]
Sir: I have the honor to advise the Department
that a serious condition in the town of Parral, Chihuahua, was called to
the attention of the embassy by the consul at Saltillo, by the British
legation here, and by Mr. David B. Gemmill, of the West Mexican Mines
(Ltd.), recently.
[Page 469]
The situation seemed sufficiently serious to warrant the embassy in
taking immediate action, and I have the honor to inclose to the
Department herewith copies of two notes which I have addressed to the
foreign office asking that prompt and adequate protection be afforded
the American lives and property in danger.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
The American
Ambassador to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
American Embassy,
Mexico, April 26,
1911.
No. 340.]
Mr. Minister: On account of the alarming
reports which have been received at this embassy from the American
consul at Saltillo and information extended the embassy by the
British Legation in this city concerning the jail delivery in the
town of Parral, which placed at large 43 prisoners, including a
number of murderers and bandits, and the general unsatisfactory and
unsafe conditions in the neighborhood of Parral, due to
revolutionary activity, I have the honor to request that due
cognizance will be taken of this state of affairs by your
excellency’s Government, and that all possible measures will be
promptly initiated to insure the protection of American citizens at
Parral, nine of whom, the embassy is advised, along with various
British, French, and German citizens, are in serious danger.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
American Embassy,
Mexico, April 29,
1911.
No. 358.]
Mr. Minister: In connection with my note,
No. 340, of the 26th instant, in which I had the honor to call your
excellency’s attention to the serious state of affairs at Parral and
its consequent danger to American citizens and American interests in
that vicinity, I have the honor to inclose to your excellency
herewith, for your excellency’s information, copy of a letter1 from Mr. David B.
Gemmill, an American citizen, the manager of the Western Mexican
Mines (Ltd.). The embassy is also in receipt to-day of telegraphic
instructions from the Department of State in Washington directing it
to request, reserving at the same time all rights of reclamation for
damages suffered, the proper protection for American lives and
American interests at Parral and in that vicinity.
I avail, etc.,
