File No. 812.00/9275.
The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Simpich.
Washington, October 23, 1913, 2 p.m.
Department is informed that Francisco Villa is holding seven Englishmen, forty Frenchmen, several Spaniards and Italians and about forty Germans as “hostages against an attack by the Federal forces.”
Bring to attention of General Carranza and say that in view of authority which he is reported to exercise over revolutionary leaders, it is hoped he will desire to order that all foreigners in Torreon be given immediately absolute liberty to depart from Torreon at will and that ample protection be afforded. Report action Carranza takes.