File No. 312.52/55.
The American Ambassador to Spain to the Secretary of State.
Madrid , December 12, 1913 .
The following is a paraphrase of a note from the Minister for Foreign Affairs:
A prominent person of Madrid has received the following cable from El Paso.
We beg that urgent steps he taken by the American Consul for protection of four hundred Spanish subjects in Chihuahua. Villa has ordered them to leave the country within ten days or he will kill them. He demands a large sum of money.
Availing myself of your courtesy I request that you obtain from your Government in the shortest possible time instructions for the American Consul in Chihuahua according to our request I need not express to you my thanks and the urgency of the service I beg of you.
De Lema.