Office of the Historian

File No. 812.00/16964.

Consul Edwards to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.]
American Consulate,
El Paso, December 17, 1915.

The following communication was handed this Consul by Governor Fidel Avila, Military Governor of the State of Chihuahua, who had just returned from the State capital where he left General Villa, with the request that it be laid before the President. This office holds the original, of which this is a true copy, said original being signed in my presence by Fidel Avila.

Edwards.
[Translation.]

[Untitled]

Honorable Woodrow Wilson,
President of the United States of the North, Washington, D. C.

Having done all that lay in our power and in a becoming form bent our efforts toward having Don Francisco Villa relinquish the supreme command of the Conventionist Army, we have at last prevailed on the said General Villa to agree to leave the country on the understanding that Your Excellency will extend full guaranties to him.

With that in view, General Villa has commissioned me to make the foregoing statement to you.

I am awaiting Your Excellency’s reply, and offer to you the assurances of my esteem and distinguished consideration.

General Fidel Avila,
Military Governor of the State.