File No. 812.00/92T5.
Chargé O’Shaughnessy to the Secretary of State.
Mexico City, October 18, 1913.
564. German Minister has called on me and requested me to make urgent representations to my Government regarding the forty Germans detained in Torreon by Francisco Villa. He states that Francisco Villa is permitting American citizens to depart but has informed the other foreigners that he will hold them hostages against an attack by the Federal forces. The Minister is exceedingly earnest regarding the lives of these German subjects and states that he has been sure that the United States Government can and will use its unofficial good offices with the rebel leaders to the end that these German subjects may be immediately released. The other foreigners in Torreon whom Villa refuses to release are seven Englishmen, forty Frenchmen and great number of Spaniards and Italians.