File No. 812.00/16037.
Mr. Parker, representing American interests in Mexico, to the Secretary of State.
50. Department’s 41, September 3, 5 p.m. General order in Mexico City good but considerable fighting between factional forces in vicinity. There seems to be a good disposition on the part of the higher authorities to afford ample guaranties to foreigners but they cannot always control their men.
Health conditions bad and growing worse. Typhus fever spreading rapidly. Some cases of beriberi. Cause of both is lack of food and sanitation.
Food situation bad. American Red Cross distributing more than 30,000 liters soup daily which does not meet demands.
Merchants are suffering from decree nullifying paper currency previously received by them, also decrees limiting hours of labor.
Railway communication with Vera Cruz uncertain, dangerous, and very unsatisfactory.
Probably 150 Americans have left city since arrival of Gonzalez of which about half were destitute and sent by this office.
The majority of Americans here now are either unable to leave on account of financial conditions or wish to remain by their homes and interests. Very difficult to estimate number here, probably not more than a thousand. Attitude of Americans now remaining seems to be that having endured the situation to this point they would not leave [Page 745] unless ordered to do so peremptorily by the Department, the order being based on important international developments which would jeopardize their safety.
I have no reason to believe that the attitude of American colony is other than one of helpfulness and friendliness toward me and am assured that such is the case.
There is on foot a movement, towards the organization of defense leagues among the various important foreign colonies with the exception of the British and a growing idea looking to the concentration of all foreigners for mutual defense in case of international complications or mob rule. Have been requested by leaders American organization to approach diplomatic representatives of the other colonies here with a view to securing their sanction for internment Americans in their concentration camps in case of need but have made no move in that direction. It has been hinted that the underlying purpose of the organizations is one of offense as well as defense but I have no confirmation thereof. In case of international complications probably Americans would be in greatest danger and Spaniards next but I feel that all foreigners would share more or less the same fate. The situation is dangerous for the reason that in case of international complications the so-called authorities would very likely lead or incite mob rule instead of endeavoring to give guaranties to foreigners and other noncombatants.