763.72111/4185a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to Mr. Charles B. Parker, Representing American Interests in Mexico City70

514. Inform General Carranza that rumors of German submarine activity in the Gulf of Mexico have been received by the representative [Page 225] here of Great Britain, who states that the Allies would be compelled to take drastic action if it appeared that assistance was being furnished their enemies from Mexican territory.

Impress upon General Carranza the great importance of taking prompt and effective measures to prevent the possible use of Mexican territory as a base of operations for belligerent men of war and the necessity to devise immediately if it has not already been done a rigid censorship of wireless messages especially those from Mexico to or concerning ships on the high seas.

General Carranza must realize that the least violation of Mexican neutrality in this connection can only have the most far reaching and disastrous results.

Lansing
  1. This paper bears the notation: “Read to Arredondo [representative in the United States of General Carranza] who agreed to send telegram. 4 pm Oct 27/16 RL.”