File No. 812.113/2088.

The President to the Acting Secretary of State.

My. Dear Mr. Adee: Thank you sincerely for your memorandum, bearing date of March 24, concerning shipment of arms and munitions of war from the United States into Mexico. It furnishes me with just the information I desire, and I want to say that it seems to me that the action of the Department in these matters has been prudent and entirely satisfactory. My inquiries1 implied no criticism [Page 876] whatever, and I wish to express my appreciation of the careful consideration given this important matter in the routine of the Department.

I would be obliged if you would have it so arranged that when the permission for shipment, which I am to sign, is made out, the five classes of shipments, which you distinguish in your letter of March 24, be separated so that each order or permit will contain articles falling under only one of the five classes. This will enable me from time to time to form an idea of how large the shipments are under the several classes, and I hope it will not cause the Department serious inconvenience.

Cordially yours,

Woodrow Wilson.
  1. Not of record; probably oral.