File No. 812.00/9631.

The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.

No. 2113.]

Sir: Referring to my telegrams Nos. 582 and 587, regarding the alleged private instructions sent to the Governor of Puebla regarding the elections, I have the honor to inform the Department that I have not altered my opinion expressed in telegram No. 587.

I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the document in question received by this Embassy as well as a translation thereof.

I have [etc.]

Nelson O’Shaughnessy.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

General Huerta to the Military Governor of Puebla.

Private Instructions from the Federal Government to General Joaquín Mass, Military Governor of the State of Puebla, to the end that he may transmit the same to the Jefes Polfticos of the State.

1st.
If any Municipal President has entered into agreement with any of the militant political parties, his removal from office shall be discreetly sought, and in the case it should not be possible, cautious efforts shall be made to secure complete solidarity between said presidents and the Jefes Politicos.
2d.
It is especially recommended that the persons in charge of the polls should be completely and absolutely reliable, so that they may follow the instructions given to them.
3d.
If there should be sufficient time for it, strict orders should be given that polls for rural estates should not be established in the seat of the municipality or town, but in the estates themselves of the electoral division, this for the purpose of avoiding the attendance of those who are to take charge of the polls, the principal object being to prevent the elections in two-thirds, plus one, of the polls constituting the district. Therefore, the greatest number of polls shall be * * * To meet the provisions of the law, and conceal the above-mentioned omission, a complete list should be published giving the names of the persons who are to have charge of the polls in accordance with article 13 of the electoral law of May 31, 1913, it being understood that only the appointments corresponding to the third part or less shall be sent to the sections, among which are to be included the polls in the urban wards.
4th.
In all the polls which may operate, blank tickets shall be made use of in order that the absolute majority of the votes may be cast in favor of Gral. Huerta for President, and Gral. Blanquet for Vice President.
5th.
In spite of the fact that article 31 provides that the returns should be at once and directly sent to the Chamber of Deputies, the chairmen of the polls shall be instructed that the returns be sent to the Political Prefecture, which returns shall be quickly examined by the Jefe Político, and if the same are found to be in accordance with the instructions given therein, he shall return them to the chairmen, informing them that they must send them directly to the Chamber of Deputies. If upon making the examination, it should appear that the third part of the polls have not acted right, they shall fail to send the number of returns that may be necessary, to the end that the Chamber of Deputies may receive only one-third or less of the total.
6th.
Political parties and citizens shall be given full freedom in the polls which may operate, allowing them to make all kinds of protests, provided they refer to votes in favor of any of the candidates appearing before the people; but care shall be taken that such protests do not refer to the votes mentioned in paragraph 4 of these instructions.
7th.
If upon examining the returns the Jefes Politicos should find that the votes do not agree with the instructions, before sending them they should fix them up to the end that the note of transmission, the minutes of the election, etc., should agree with the instructions.
8th.
Persons shall be chosen who will inspire absolute confidence and are well versed in the electoral law, to make a quiet and reserved inspection of the polls which may be in operation and to present before them all sorts of protests in accordance with article 30 of the electoral law, it being understood that all protests should refer to the candidates who may be in the field, but never in regard to votes mentioned in paragraph 4.
9th.
After elections, they shall make a quick concentration of the polls which were in operation, and shall communicate this information to the Government, if possible, on the same day and in cipher and by special courier.
10th.
Under the most strict responsibility, the Governor of a State who may receive these instructions shall comply with them, under the penalty of discharge from office and other punishment which the Federal Government may see fit to apply.