File No. 812.00/6095a.
The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.
Washington , February 10, 1913 .
The following has been given to the press this afternoon:
It has been decided to dispatch a battleship to Vera Cruz, a battleship to Tampico, a vessel to Mazatlan, and a vessel to Acapulco, to replace the one under orders to leave there for Central America, which will await the arrival of the fresh vessel to be sent to Acapulco.
The sole purpose of these naval dispositions is observation and report upon the situation, particularly with reference to the protection being afforded foreigners and their interests. The sending of these vessels represents no change whatever in the policy of the President; indicates no bias on the part of the Government of the United States as to which side shall gain the ascendency in the struggle which has broken out in Mexico City: and responds merely to the fresh necessity of great caution due to the extreme uncertainty of the new condition caused by the uprising in the Mexican capital, both locally and in its effect upon conditions throughout Mexico, where American citizens and their interests are so very numerous.