Protection of American life and property in Mexico 1

1. Continued from For. Rel. 1912; see p. 1379 of that volume for index of: “policy of the United States in protecting American citizens in Mexico;” “protection by the United States of American life and property;” and (p. 1378) “measures taken by Americans to protect themselves.”

Note. On September 15, 1912, the American Ambassador presented a note to the Mexican Government specifying many instances of crimes committed against the life or welfare of American citizens in Mexico by mobs, rebel and Federal soldiers and others, and demanding that measures be taken (1) to capture and punish the murderers of American citizens; (2) to stop discrimination against American interests; and (3) to bring about such general improvement of conditions, as to prevent further molestation of Americans. (For. Rel. 1912, pp. 842846.)

On November 22, 1912, the Mexican Government responded to this note declaring that it had not spared any effort to comply with its international duties, but recognizing the right of the United States to inquire into the nature of such efforts. (Id., pp. 871877.)

The correspondence from that point largely consists of inquiries and replies concerning the safety of American citizens and other foreigners and reports of the protests and other representations made to the Mexican authorities in that connection. These are omitted as involving no exchange of representations between the two Governments other than those in the nature of routine. For the same reason the reports in reply to the series of instructions here printed, from consular officers and the Embassy, are also omitted. The instructions themselves are given in order to show the steps taken by this Government in its general plan of protecting American citizens in Mexico.

[Page 885]

[1132] The Acting Secretary of State to the American Consular Officers in Mexico.

File No. 312.11/1001a.


[1133] The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

File No. 312.11/1048.


[1134] The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

File No. 312.11/1073.


[1135] The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.

File No. 312.11/1073.


[1136] The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.

File No. 312.11/1048.


[1137] The Secretary of State to American Consular Officers in Mexico.

File No.312.11/1354A.


[1138] [Untitled]

File No. 312.11/1478a.


[1139] [Untitled]

File No. 312.11/8877a.


[1140] [Untitled]

File No. 312.11/1887b


[1141] The Secretary of State to American Consular Officers in Mexico.

File No. 312.11/1887a.


[1142] The Secretary of State to American Consular Officers in Mexico.

File No.312.11/2120a.


[1143] The Acting Secretary of State to the American Consular Officers in Mexico.

File No.312.11/3047a.