File No. 312.11/304.

The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

The British warship Algerine will visit Pacific coast of Mexico and the cruiser Melpomene will visit Tampico and Vera Cruz with a purpose identical with our own. I think our course in sending Yorktown should not be altered on account of expressions of concern of the Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs. My opinion is that the coming of our ships, as well as those of other nations, will have a restraining effect upon the public mind. We have about a thousand distressed nationals on the Pacific coast and I advise that they be relieved without apologies in the exercise of our full rights as a friendly nation to dispatch war vessels to the waters of a nation with which we are at complete peace.

If the Department’s views agree with those here expressed I should be instructed to advise the Mexican Government that the Yorktown will visit Mexican ports in conjunction with the Buford and to request that its reception by Mexican officials be similar to that of the Buford. The public now knows that British and French ships are en route for Mexico and I discover no signs of resentment except in a few petty newspapers.

Wilson.