Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 8, 1914

File No. 312.51/71.

The French Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.

[Translation.]

French Embassy,
Manchester, July 23, 1914.

Mr. Secretary of State: I have the honor to communicate herewith to your excellency a report from the French Consular Agent at El Paso, giving an accurate account of the experiences of the Christian Brothers of the Zacatecas school.¹⁴⁴

Contrary to what was at first reported, the responsibility for the murder of Brothers Astru and Gilles seems to lie with General Tomas Urbina, and, for the ill treatment undergone by the other fourteen Brothers, with General Manuel Chao.

It seems that General Villa was not apprized of the facts until later and that he even gave the prisoners a safe conduct.

Be pleased to accept [etc.]

R. Clausse

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144. Not printed.