File No. 812.00/2665.
The Secretary of State to the Attorney General.
Washington, January 3, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith for such action, if any, as you may see fit to take thereon, a copy of translation of a note dated the 30th ultimo from the Mexican Embassy at this capital,2 requesting that the local and Federal authorities of Arizona be instructed to maintain with greater vigilance the observance of the neutrality laws of the United States. The Embassy adds that adherents of Flores Magón are near the international border in Arizona and [Page 709] California ready to support or cover up any movement against the Mexican Government.
In communicating to you this and other requests of a similar character, the Department has no other intention than to call to your notice the particular request or complaints that may be made in order that the facts and circumstances involved may be thoroughly investigated and such action, if any, taken as may be necessary to secure the enforcement of our neutrality statutes as well as of the treaty and other international obligations under which this Government may rest toward foreign powers with which it is on terms of amity and peace. In this connection it should be observed that the Department of State draws a clear distinction between, on the one hand, a vigorous enforcement of our so-called neutrality statutes and the clue and proper observance of the rules governing international neutrality, and, on the other hand, activities such as are seemingly desired by the Mexican Government and which would, if carried out, amount in effect to cooperation and participation with a foreign government or with its agent in measures calculated to assist such foreign government in putting down revolution or in maintaining peace and tranquillity within its borders. These latter undertakings, in the absence of duties, rights or obligations arising from treaty, from conditions threatening the welfare of a foreign power, or from the interests of aliens requiring protection by their own Government, are quite obviously matters calling for action by the local sovereign rather than by a foreign power, which under normal conditions owes in general no international duty other than to be neutral and impartial.
I have [etc.]