File No. 312.41/70.
The British Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington, December 3, 1913.
Dear Mr. Secretary: I have just received a telegram from a British subject named Richard Keays, dated from El Paso, Texas, today, stating that his property and that of other foreigners in the district of Juarez, Chihuahua, is in grave danger from the Constitutionalists in that neighborhood, and asking that protection be given to them I have referred this request by telegraph to H. M. Minister in Mexico City, but I venture to inform you at the same time, in the hope that it may be possible to instruct the United States authorities on the spot to cooperate with their British colleagues in taking all possible steps to obtain protection for the properties in question. I am emboldened to make this request by the unvarying courtesy and readiness [Page 842] which the United States Government have shown to cooperate with the British authorities in case of danger to foreign life and property in Mexico. Any steps which you can properly take in the direction indicated, will, i. am confident, be highly appreciated by my Government.
I am [etc.]