File No. 312.11/3770.

The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador.

[Extract.]

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.]

W. J. Bryan
.