File No. 812.00/6174.
[Untitled]
Mexico, February 15, 1913—11 a.m.
Associated Press report as per Department’s February 14, 7 p.m., is incorrect. Mr. Lascurain called at the Embassy on the part of the President to tender me the use of a house in Tacubaya, offering also to see that it was supplied with servants and provisions. I expressed my appreciation of the President’s courteous attentions, but declined the offer, as I shall decline all others. The Government has placed me here in charge of its records, archives, and property, and here all of the system of aids for the American colony has been centered. If [Page 710] the firing becomes intolerable I will move all women and men who so desire from the Embassy. But removal of the Embassy would be a calamity to the entire American colony. Americans can not be advised to go to a safer place, because there is none. Outside the firing range there are bandits and inside there are bullets. Where shrapnel is used on both sides and the locations of batteries and bombardment are made without notice, the rules of international precedents are of little value.