File No. 125.8273/38b.
The Secretary of State to the Brazilian Minister at Mexico City.
Washington, May 4, 1914.
Press reports from Vera Cruz state that John B. Silliman, American Consul at San Luis Potosi, has been imprisoned by General Maas [Page 661] for eleven days and is nightly threatened with execution. Mr. Silliman is not Consul at Potosi but is Vice Consul at Saltillo and it is not clear therefore whether the reports refer to Mr. Silliman at Saltillo or to Mr. Bonney, Consul at Potosí. Will you please endeavor to obtain information in regard to the safety of both officers and request the Foreign Office to take prompt steps for their protection and for their release in case the report of imprisonment is true.