File No. 812.00/9275.
The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Silliman.
Washington, October 19, 1913.
Use every available means to deliver following telegraphic instructions to American Consul Torreon:
Please see at once those in authority at Torreon and say that Department is informed that seven Englishmen, forty Frenchmen, some Spanish and Italians and about forty Germans are detained there against their will and not allowed to leave. Make clear to the authorities that we are obligated to foreign nations to extend to other nationals the same protection that we extend to American citizens and that we therefore demand that all foreigners desiring to leave shall be permitted to go unmolested. Report fully any objections which may be made or failure to carry out these instructions by the authorities.