File No. 312.52/289.
Ambassador Willard to the Secretary of State.
Madrid, May 23, 1914.
On several occasions recently the King has pointedly questioned me regarding Mexico and the suffering there of Spaniards and their [Page 816] interests. He has just inquired regarding the Spanish Vice Consul at Tampico whom the press reports held for ransom by Constitutionalists and regarding press reports that Villa has again declared he would kill all Spaniards. I am to see the King Monday night and if I could reenforce the reassurances (based on belated press reports and such news as I can obtain otherwise) I am constantly making on appropriate occasions on my own account with some pertinent message or up to date news from the Department from time to time I could be more instrumental counteracting the somewhat unsympathetic and aggrieved attitude of this Government. I would especially appreciate a message that I could use Monday night.