File No. 812.00/7129.
The American Consul at Matamoros to the Secretary of State.
Matamoros, April 7, 1913.
Sir: I have the honor to explain my action for allowing General Estrada to enter this Consulate on the 17th of February, 1913, at his earnest request. On that day General Estrada’s entire force rebelled and declared themselves in favor of General Felix Díaz, and left the old General at the mercy of one Major Ramos, who was the instigator and leader of the revolution—a man who, the General firmly believed, would not hesitate to commit the most dastardly crime to get rid of him (General Estrada). He appealed to me to allow him to remain in my office for a few days until he could get over to Brownsville without great danger to his life. After he arrived at my office he expressed a desire to go to Brownsville that same night, and a friend of his procured an automobile for the purpose, but the General had good reasons to believe that guards and spies were on the watch, and he was afraid to make the attempt. He is a man of sixty-eight years old, and expressed himself as loyal to the Government regardless of who might be President. He remained with me for sixteen days (leaving March 5), when he was ordered by the Secretary of War to report at the City of Mexico for orders. He left the same night about one o’clock by carriage to Brownsville, Texas, and there took an automobile to Reynosa, Mexico, where he caught the train that left here at six o’clock a.m. same day. * * * The old General could not get across the river without great danger, and I thought it an act of humanity to protect him. I have refused others protection but I deemed his case a very meritorious one. I hope and trust that I did not commit a great wrong.
I have [etc.]