File No. 812.00/9275.
The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.
Mexico , October 18, 1913—3 p.m.
564. The German Minister requests me to make urgent representations to my Government regarding the 40 Germans detained in Torreón [Page 899] by Francisco Villa, who he states is permitting American citizens to depart, but has informed the other foreigners that he will hold them hostages against an attack by the Federal forces. The Minister states that he has been sure that the United States Government can and will use its unofficial good offices with the rebel leaders to the end that these German subjects may be immediately released. The other foreigners in Torreon whom Villa refuses to release are 7 Englishmen, 40 Frenchmen, and great number of Spaniards and Italians.