File No. 812.00/14690.
The Acting Secretary of War
to the Secretary of State
.
War Department,
Washington
,
March 24, 1915
.
My dear Mr. Secretary: In accordance with our
personal conversation in your office, I sent the inclosed despatch to
General Funston.
With great respect [etc.]
[Inclosure.]
The Acting Secretary of
War to General Funston
.
[Telegram.]
Washington
,
March 24, 1914
.
Diplomatic representations are being made by the State Department to
Carranza and Villa urging them to order their commanders to comply
with the terms of the agreement of January 11, 1915, and under no
circumstances execute an attack upon a border town that would
endanger American lives and property. I will inform you as soon as I
learn from the State Department that Carranza and Villa have
actually received the diplomatic representations and will give you
any further instructions that may then be necessary if any are
necessary. You will take such steps as may be necessary to protect
American lives and property in the event of an attack upon Agua
Prieta provided that such steps do not include a crossing of the
Mexican border by our troops. You will refrain, if it is at all
possible, from taking any forcible action until you have heard from
me that the diplomatic representations have been received by
Carranza and Villa and they have had time to communicate their
orders to their commanders. You will endeavor to communicate to the
commanders of the Mexican troops along the Sonora border in the
region about Agua Prieta that such representations have been made to
Carranza and Villa and that forcible action, if necessary, will be
taken to protect American lives and property. Urge upon these
commanders compliance with the agreement of January 11 between
Maytorena and Calles. The general object of these instructions is to
prevent the recurrence of the conditions that existed at Naco.
Advise the Department without delay of any threatening development
of conditions.
