File No. 812.00/13610.
The Acting Secretary of State to the Brazilian Minister to Mexico.
Washington, November 1, 1914, 10 p.m.
311. Your 191, October 27, 10 p.m. You may say to the Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs that Department’s telegram of September 15, to which he refers, expressly stated that the President was arranging to withdraw the American troops from Vera Cruz and that the Department’s September 22, 9 p.m., was in furtherance of the arrangements contemplated in its telegram of September 15. This Government is ready at any time to proceed with the evacuation of Vera Cruz but, in view of the fact that it has given assurances of protection to the Mexican citizens who were induced by General Funston to assist in the administration of the custom house and municipal affairs at Vera Cruz, it feels morally bound to comply with its promises. The same thing is true of the promises made to shippers with reference to the collection of double duties on merchandise passing through the port of Vera Cruz. All details of the arrangements contemplated for the evacuation of Vera Cruz have long since been completed, with the exception of the guaranties requested of General Carranza. It is the understanding of the Department that General Carranza referred these matters to the convention at Aguascalientes and, in view of the fact that the convention acted favorably upon the Department’s requests, it was hoped that there would be no cause for further delay on the part of General Carranza.
The Department does not consider that the proclamation issued by General Aguilar is in compliance with its requests, as the central government at Mexico City might feel justified in repudiating the guaranties promised by General Aguilar. General Carranza has not even stated that he endorsed or would regard as binding the guaranties promised by General Aguilar in his proclamation of September 22.
You may assure the Acting Secretary for Foreign Affairs that there is no disposition on the part of this Government to delay the evacuation of Vera Cruz and that as soon as General Carranza gives definite assurances in accordance with the requests contained in the Department’s September 22, 9 p.m, the date for the evacuation will be fixed without further delay.