File No. 312.41/197.
The Secretary of State to Special Agent Carothers.
Washington, March 18, 1914.
We have received information to the effect that the incidents connected with the Benton case have increased any prejudice that Villa may have had against British subjects of northern Mexico and alarm is felt lest he may commit or permit harsh treatment of them. As you will be near him please bear this danger in mind and use your influence to prevent any improper acts on Villa’s part or failure to give that protection to British subjects and other foreigners which he and Carranza have repeatedly promised.
It would embarrass us and greatly injure the Constitutionalist cause if anything were done that could arouse abroad additional criticism of Constitutionalist methods.