File No. 812.00/6170a.
The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.
Washington, February 14, 1913—7 p.m.
Associated Press reports that you were notified by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the Embassy would be in the line of Federal [Page 709] fire and that you should evacuate the Embassy premises; that you positively declined to do so; and that thereupon the Minister for Foreign Affairs notified you that the firing must proceed.
If this is true you should record a formal protest, but if this is ineffective and the position of the Embassy becomes really dangerous you should evacuate the premises rather than risk casualties. In view of the situation in the city it would perhaps be best for you and other Americans to take up temporary quarters entirely beyond the range of fire.
Almost intolerable as is the situation, it should be remembered that fighting within cities is by no means without precedent and that the convenience of foreigners and the dignity of diplomatic establishments can not in all cases be interposed in a manner to affect the issue of such fighting where the danger to foreigners and diplomatic representatives is incidental and where they may escape such danger by removal.
Acquaint your colleagues with the nature of these instructions.