File No. 711.1216M/256.
The Acting Secretary of State to the Mexican Ambassador.
Washington, March 7, 1911.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s confidential note No. 1056 of the 6th instant, wherein, confirming your confidential note No. 989 of the 4th instant, you state that Mexican forces designed to protect the works of the Colorado River and in general all interests in Lower California, will arrive on the 10th instant at Ensenada de Todos Santos, where they will join the forces of Col. Vega. In taking note of the dispatch of these forces I have the honor again to refer to the conviction of this Government that anything short of an overwhelming force would be in danger of doing harm rather than good in the matter of assuring the absolute security of the Colorado River works and so forth, which is so urgently required.
Your excellency adds that in order that these forces may arrive without a moment’s delay at the place where the works of the Colorado River are being constructed the Government of Mexico would be disposed to request from the Government of the United States the passage of these forces by railroad which they would take at San Diego, Cal., provided the entry of the Mexican soldiers upon American territory would not subject them to conditions incompatible with the general purpose that takes them to Lower California, but that if the granting of the permission should be subject to any such conditions it would be preferable that the Mexican troops, consisting of those under command of Col. Vega and the expedition that started from Manzanillo, should proceed over Mexican territory from Todos Santos to Mexicali.
In reply, I am compelled to inform your excellency that this Government finds itself bound to adhere to the policy indicated in the aide mémoire handed the chargé d’affaires and his excellency, Mr. Casasus, on the 14th ultimo, and that it is believed that it will be preferable to have the Mexican troops reach their destination over Mexican territory, since your excellency will readily understand that for this Government to permit the passage of Mexican troops over [Page 564] American territory for the avowed purpose of engaging in general hostilities would hardly be compatible with the circumstances and principles involved.
Accept [etc.],