File No. 711.1216M/227A.
The Department of State to the Mexican Embassy.
In connection with procuring the adequate protection of the works now being constructed along the Colorado River, a telegram was to-day sent to the American ambassador at Mexico City stating that it is reported to the Department of State that well-informed American citizens in California, including the American general in command at Calexico, believe that the wounding and complete defeat of Col. Vega, of the Mexican Army, and of his entire force leaves the threatened region wholly unprotected by Mexican troops, thus augmenting the critical nature of the situation and placing the Imperial Valley interests in imminent danger.
The American ambassador at Mexico City was by telegraph directed immediately to bring this to the attention of the President of Mexico, and to reiterate the suggestion of effective cooperation by the Government of the United States with the Mexican Government, if not with regular military forces, then by an ununiformed force acting as a police constabulary under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior of the United States.
[Page 559]The American ambassador was further instructed to telegraph immediately by what means the Government of Mexico expects the vast interests involved to be protected with the certainty necessary.
Washington, February 17, 1911.