File No. 312.11/4313.
The Secretary of State to Consul Letcher.
Washington, May 18, 1914.
Your May 17. This Department has advised Americans to withdraw from and remain out of Mexico for the time being, and has felt that American interests employing American workmen in that country would consider the lives of their employees of first concern. But the Department has announced the self-evident fact that it does not attempt to compel any American citizen to leave or to remain out of that country. Those who contemplate remaining in Mexico or returning thereto must know the risk they assume in so doing and the difficulties of securing or affording to them adequate and timely protection by this Government. Individuals must judge for themselves whether the proofs of protection by the authorities are acceptable, and whether the conditions existing will justify them in returning.