File No. 812.00/3040.
The American Ambassador to
the Secretary of State.
No. 1285.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
February 28, 1912.
Sir: With reference to the Department’s
telegraphic instructions of February 25 and 26, relative to the
situation at Ciudad Juárez, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for
the information of the Department, copies of my correspondence with His
Excellency the President of Mexico and with the Minister for Foreign
Affairs on the subject.
I have [etc.],
[Inclosure 1.]
The American Ambassador
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
No. 1876.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
February 26, 1912.
Mr. Minister: I am instructed by telegrams
from my Government to convey a friendly warning to you of the
dangerous situation which would result from any firing across the
frontier line at Ciudad Juárez by either Federal or insurgent
forces. My Government instructs me to say to your excellency that
while fully cognizant of the abnormal and difficult situation which
exists at Cuidad Juárez it can not, having due regard for the safety
of the lives and property of its own citizens, permit a repetition
of the intolerable incidents affecting these which occurred at
Ciudad Juárez during the revolution against the Government of
General Diaz. I am therefore instructed to urge upon the Mexican
Government the utmost diligence in the performance of its
international obligations at and in the neighborhood of Ciudad
Juárez and at all other points of national contact.
I avail [etc.]
[Inclosure 2.]
The American Ambassador
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
No. 1878.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
February 27, 1912.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to refer to
my note No. 1876 of yesterday, relative to the dangerous situation
that would result from any firing across the frontier line at Ciudad
Juárez by either Federal or insurgent forces, and to inform your
excellency that I am instructed by my Government to bring to the
attention of your excellency’s Government the fact that the American
Consul at Ciudad Juárez has been advised by the commander of the
insurrecto forces to notify all foreigners to seek a place of
safety, as his command will attack the city without
[Page 883]
delay. In this connection I am
instructed to impress upon your excellency’s Government with all
possible seriousness and earnestness, as under express directions
from the President, the absolute necessity that there be no firing
into American territory at El Paso, as otherwise consequences which
the Department to the best interests of both countries desire to
avoid will almost surely follow. I am further instructed to suggest
to your excellency that if Ciudad Juárez is inadequately defended by
Federal troops your excellency’s Government may, in view of the
peculiar situation existing and the possible eventualities, deem it
best either that such troops should make such defense as they
contemplate outside of Ciudad Juárez, and in a place that would not
threaten the lives and property of American citizens on American
territory, or possibly withdraw without making a defense in the
immediate neighborhood. My Government directs me, with reference to
the above suggestion, to urge the necessity of immediate telegraphic
action by your excellency’s Government.
I avail [etc.]
[Inclosure 3.]
The American Ambassador
to the President of Mexico.
No. 2644.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
February 27, 1912.
My Dear Mr. President: Under express
telegraphic instructions from the President of the United States, I
have to advise Your Excellency that the American Consul at Ciudad
Juárez informs the Department of State that he has received a
communication from Gen. Emilio Campa, commander of the insurrecto
forces near Ciudad Juárez, to notify all foreigners to seek a place
of safety, as his command will attack the city without delay. In
view of this situation the President directs me to impress upon the
Mexican Government with all possible seriousness and earnestness the
absolute necessity that there be no firing into El Paso, as, in the
event of such occurrence, consequences which the best interests of
both countries desire to avoid will almost surely follow. It is
suggested that as Ciudad Juárez is inadequately defended by Federal
troops the Mexican Government may, in view of the peculiar situation
existing and the possible eventualities, deem it best either that
such troops should make such defense as they contemplate outside of
Ciudad Juárez and in a place that would not threaten the lives and
property of American citizens on American territory or possibly
withdraw without making defense in the immediate neighborhood. In a
note relative to this matter which I have just addressed to Mr.
Calero I have urged immediate telegraphic action by the Mexican
Government and I trust that Your Excellency will not deem me too
urgent if I renew the suggestion to you. I advised my Government
last evening of my interview with Mr. Calero during which he
informed me that you had already taken action of the kind suggested
herein. I am not certain whether this telegram had been received at
the time of sending the telegram which is the motive for this note,
but I have no other recourse under my instructions than to bring the
matter to the attention of Your Excellency and again to the
attention of Mr. Calero.
Believe me [etc.]
