File No. 312.11/6964.
[Untitled]
Have just received the following answer from General Carranza to Department’s November 23:
I have just received your kind letter dated today and the copy of the telegram sent you by the Secretary of State of the United States, and in due reply I will state that I have written to Division General Alvaro Obregon recommending that he try to hasten military operations in order to take possession of the Los Mochis region in the State of Sinaloa and that he guarantee the lives and property of the foreigners residing there, especially of American citizens, for whom you demand protection in the name of the Government of your country.
I thank you for the offer which the United States Government makes through you to land troops of the American Navy at Lbs Mochis and afford protection to its citizens, but I by no means accept this proposition, and you may state to the American Department that, if the lives and property of the residents of the region in question lack guaranties at present, it may suggest to the American citizens that they try to cross over to territory controlled by Constitutionalist forces, where they will enjoy every manner of guaranty, or else, if they prefer, that they embark upon some ship of the United States, in order to keep away from the danger in which they are now situated.
Please accept [etc.]
V. Carranza.