File No. 812.113/405.
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Consul at Nogales.
Washington, April 14, 1912—8 p.m.
Arms and ammunition are being shipped in your care, via Nogales, for the defense of the American employees of the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico and other Americans along its lines. This shipment is of about 600 guns and about 120,000 rounds ammunition consigned to either Epes Randolph or Charles Hine, the latter being vice-president and general manager of the Southern Pacific Railroad of Mexico. You will deliver these arms and this ammunition only to such Americans as shall satisfy you that they are to be used solely for personal defense, and that no possibility exists of their falling into the hands of persons or of their being used in any way that would promote domestic disorder in Mexico.
This shipment is made in pursuance of permission granted by the President, and will constitute an exception under the provisions of the President’s proclamation of March 14. Your distribution of the arms should therefore be in the highest measure cautious and discreet, as the purposes of the President’s proclamation would be to that extent frustrated if any of the arms and ammunition sent to you should be used in any way to promote domestic disorder.