File No. 312.11/3770.
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador.
Washington, April 24, 1914.
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I received this afternoon at 1.45 a telegram from the American Consul at Vera Cruz, Mexico, which I paraphrase below, for your information:
[Here follows paraphrase of telegram from Consul Canada of April 24, 1914, 10 a.m.]
These prisoners are all non-combatants and if there is any truth in the report that any or all of them have been executed it is in direct violation of the law of nations.
I bring this to your attention, my dear Mr. Ambassador, because a British subject is included among those arrested. In speaking for your own Government you will, I am sure, impress on General Huerta the importance of protecting all non-combatants.
Thanking you, my clear Mr. Ambassador, for your kindness and interest in this matter, which is one of humanity,
I am [etc.]