Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1911

File No. 812.00/1741B.

The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.¹

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]

Department of State,
Washington, May 12, 1911.

You are authorized officially to deny, through the local press and otherwise, as under instructions to do so, all foolish stories of intervention, than which nothing could be further from the intentions of the Government of the United States, which has the sincerest friendship for Mexico and the Mexican people, to whom, it hopes, will soon return the blessings of peace. The Government of the United States is not concerned with Mexico’s internal political affairs, and demands nothing but the respect and protection of American life and property in the neighboring Republic. You will use the language of this instruction.

You are further instructed to observe the strictest impartiality, interfering in no wise between contending forces, and counseling Americans to follow the same course.

Knox.

1. The same instructions to all consular officers in Mexico except the consul general in Mexico City.