File No. 812.00/6461.
The American Consul at Ciudad Porfirio Díaz to the Secretary of State.
Ciudad Porfirio Díaz, March 2, 1913.
Colonel Carranza has demanded that the foreign merchants in Ciudad Porfirio Díaz raise ten to twenty thousand dollars to pay and feed the State volunteers or he can not and will not be responsible for depredations. The mayor of Ciudad Porfirio Díaz is not and has not been in accord with the colonel and says he did not ask for [Page 752] assistance in maintaining order in the city; does not need the State volunteers and prefers that they leave. But I am positive the colonel will not leave. The foreign merchants have decided that they will not contribute a dollar; therefore the state of affairs in Ciudad Porfirio Díaz may result in peril to the Spanish, German and other foreigners and foreign interests. The volunteers are refusing to permit foreigners, except Americans, to pass over to Eagle Pass this morning, although the colonel and his collector of customs promised me yesterday that they would allow foreigners to pass over. The foreign merchants have presented a written request on me, as the represenative of friendly nation, to the effect that they are absolutely without protection and in actual danger of their lives and interests. Please instruct.