File No. 812.00/7897.
The Confidential Agent of the Constitutionalist Government of Mexico to the Secretary of State.
Excellency: Since the overthrow of the constituted Government of Mexico and the commencement of the present armed movement which has for its object the restoration of the constitutional order in that country, the Government of the United States has from time to time permitted the Huerta Government to purchase, in this country, for exportation to Mexico, large quantities of munitions of war, without which privilege it is doubtful if it could have sustained itself in power but for a brief period. But a like privilege is denied to the Constitutionalist Government, though it is confidently hoped, by [Page 881] reason of the extent of territory now under its control and the respectable size of its military force, that it possesses attributes sufficient to justify the Government of the United States in giving consideration to certain observations that it desires to respectfully submit.
The act of Congress approved March 14th, 1912, as well as the proclamation of the President thereunder, contain the following:
That whenever the President shall find that in any American country conditions of domestic violence exist which are promoted by the use of arms or munitions of war procured from the United States and shall make proclamation thereof, it shall be unlawful to export, except under such limitations and exceptions as the President shall prescribe, any arms or munitions of war from any place in the United States to such country until otherwise ordered by the President or by Congress.
That “conditions of domestic violence” do exist in Mexico is a fact. It is also a fact that those conditions are being promoted and protracted by reason of an exception made in favor of the so-called Government of Mexico, of which Victoriano Huerta styles himself Provisional President, under which it is allowed the privilege of importing “arms and munitions of war procured from the United States.” If that exception were withdrawn, or if the Constitutionalist Government were allowed a similar privilege, the duration of the present struggle would be materially diminished.
Taking constant advantage of this privilege, the Huerta Government, so I am advised, was recently enabled to remove from Laredo, Texas, to Mexican territory, to augment the ammunition supply of General Téllez, seventy-five cases containing mauser cartridges, and representatives of the same Government have recently brought to the identical place, four mountain guns for the purpose of conveying them across the border. These are merely two shipments, among a large number, that the Huerta Government has made and proposes to make. As the continued introduction of arms and munitions of war from the United States by the Huerta Government results in grave prejudice to the Mexican people as well as to the Constitutionalist cause, I am instructed to invite your excellency’s attention to the matter, and to record an earnest protest against what would seem to constitute an unjust discrimination against the latter.
Please accept [etc.]