File No. 812.00/6178.
[Untitled]
Mexico, February 15, 1913—11 p.m.
I went to the palace to-day with the German Minister to confer, with General Huerta. During our passage thither firing was suspended. At the palace, much to our regret, we were taken to see the President, whom we [had] not asked to see, and it was only after repeated requests that we were allowed to have an interview and then only in the presence of Mr. Lascurain.
[Page 713]I asked, first, that the military dispositions of the Government forces be so made as not to require firing on the citadel over the residential quarter; second, that a free zone be established around the Embassy, which should be treated not only as an embassy but also as a humanitarian establishment; third, that the Government unite with an American committee for establishing centers for distribution of bread for the poor; fourth, that firing soldiers [located] on certain American buildings and public buildings, and especially on one which I have made a general refuge, be removed; fifth, that an armistice of three hours be given to enable our rescue committee to take starving Americans in dangerous localities to safer ones; sixth, that an armistice of 12 hours be given to enable foreigners to leave Mexico by train.
All of these demands were finally agreed to by General Huerta and the President.
The President submitted to me a telegram he had sent to President Taft; a considerable part of it was misleading and inexact and I so informed him. The President also attempted to convince me that the situation in the country at large was at variance with the information I have received. There was a noticeable effort to prevent our talking alone with General Huerta.