File No. 812.00/5865.
[Untitled]
Washington, January 16, 1913—2 p.m.
Consul Canada’s telegram January 14 to you. You may inform the Mexican Government that this report has reached both the Department and the Embassy; while deprecating its authenticity, point out the peculiar criminal and dastardly character of such a procedure; say how detrimental it is to the Mexican Government for anyone to circulate such rumors; indicate that a vigorous effort to apprehend and to punish those responsible for them would seem to be in order.
Telegraph the Department your opinion as to sending a war vessel to Vera Cruz.