File No. 312.41/30.

The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

Dear Mr. Secretary of State: I am loath to trouble you in the present time of stress and the more so as the present letter is I have no doubt an unnecessary precaution.

My request is that when your Consuls or other officials in Mexico receive intimation of any steps or events likely to affect the safety of foreigners they may at once impart their knowledge to all foreigners alike. A similar practice has been followed to my own knowledge in other countries in troublesome times and I have not the slightest doubt that, whether by instruction or not, it is the rule of your officials. You of course are aware of the great number of British subjects from all part of the King’s Dominions (mostly quite indistinguishable [Page 839] from Americans) who are resident in Mexico and very closely concerned in all that happens there. My Government is of course in honor bound to bear this fact in mind and to leave no precaution neglected in order that they may be in as good a position as anyone else to provide for their safety.

It is from all these points of view that Sir E. Grey feels he can rely on your Government in case you are forced in the future to take decisive action of a nature to affect the safety of foreigners (which could properly be imparted to foreign nations) to give if possible timely warning in order that my Government may be enabled to take in time the necessary steps to provide for the safety of British subjects.

I am [etc.]

Cecil Spring Rice
.