File No. 711.1216M/224a.
The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy.
The Department has been advised through its embassy at Mexico that President Diaz and the minister for foreign affairs of Mexico desire that Col. Vega, military commander of the northern district of Lower California, should proceed at once to the place of the present works upon the Colorado River levee with 200 men with a view to protecting said works from any disturbances whatsoever and that Col. Vega will be instructed to purchase arms, ammunition and provisions in Yuma to equip these men for this purpose.
It is assumed from the statements of the Mexican Government that the mission of Col. Vega is to organize and equip a special protective force for the preservation of the Colorado River works from interruption by disaffected parties, thus operating as a special armed constabulary force rather than as a part of the military operations of Mexico in that region.
Understanding that the activities of Col. Vega will be wholly confined to the protection of the Colorado River levee works in case it should be sought to interfere with such works, the Government of the United States has no objection whatsoever to the proposed commercial purchase of arms, ammunition and provisions in Yuma to equip this detachment of men.
It does not appear whether or not it is desired to transport these men to the Colorado River levee over American territory or within the Mexican boundary. Should it however be desired to transport them over American territory the Government of the United States, acting with the governor of Arizona, will be pleased to grant facilities for such transportation to Col. Vega with 200 men to go to protect the Colorado River works, it being understood that such men shall be used for no other purpose whatever.
Washington, February 14, 1911.