File No. 812.2311/69.
[Untitled]
Washington, September 30, 1912—12 midnight.
If you have not yet made the final answer of this Government to the request of the Mexican Government to have further troops traverse American territory you will hold it in abeyance; if already made, you will withdraw it for the present. Meanwhile, for your information [Page 899] and guidance, I quote the following telegram from the Governor of Texas:
Referring to your telegram of Saturday and reply concerning the movement of Mexican troops through Texas from Eagle Pass to Del Rio and Marathon. My adjutant general calls attention to the fact that it will be a 75-mile march over rough territory from Marathon, where it seems to be the purpose to detrain Mexican troops’ to go to Mexican border. I desire to withdraw my consent for the passage of these troops through Texas until I am more fully advised with reference to their movement. This march of 75 miles through the territory referred to will invite difficulties which I do not wish to occur in Texas.
To which I have telegraphed in reply as follows:
Difficulties mentioned in your telegram could be obviated by having troops detrain at Del Rio. Since Mexican Government has already been informed permission granted, the Department will instruct Embassy to lay substance of your telegram before Mexican Government and suggest that troops could be detrained only at Del Rio, which is near the border. The Department feels that in view of the action already taken with your acquiescence it should have your cooperation in making feasible the plan above suggested, and I hope that you will be good enough to inform me by telegraph, in accordance with the usual formality, that the passage of these troops over United States territory will be agreeable to the State of Texas. Meanwhile, permission has been suspended.