File No. 812.00/3048.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, March 4, 1912—4 p.m.
I gave to the press the following statement on March 2, which may serve as response to Department’s March 3, 8 p.m.:
Owing to the disturbed condition in Mexico and the lawlessness prevailing in many sections with which the Government, with the best intentions, can not at all times cope, the Department of State at Washington deems it its duty to advise all Americans at present residing in localities known to be dangerous or in isolated spots where protection can not be afforded to remove without delay therefrom, leaving in all cases, where possible, their property or abandoned effects in Chargé of the nearest American consular officer.
For the present the American Embassy indicates specifically as dangerous localities in the north the States of Chihuahua, Durango, a part of Coahuila, and a part of Zacatecas; and in the south, the States of Morelos, Guerrero; the district of Culiacan, in the State of Sinaloa, and certain undefined districts in the States of Vera Cruz and Puebla. Americans residing in these localities should immediately withdraw therefrom, pending the reestablishment of order and the procurement of guaranties for the safety of their lives and property.
The purpose of this notice is not only to secure the safety of American lives, but also to reduce in some measure the responsibility of and demands upon the Mexican Government.
The word “responsibility,” as the Department will see, is not used in the sense of the press reports referred to. The explanation of the Department contained in the Department’s March 2, 3 p.m., I had inserted verbatim in the leading papers here, along with the proclamation. I have not heard of any misinterpretations or criticisms of this Embassy’s notice, and I think the President’s proclamation is now fully understood by the Mexican Government and public generally.