File No. 312.11/7911
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy
Washington, June 28, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of June 27, 1916, with which you enclose copies of telegrams from Admiral Winslow and Captain Burrage relative to the reluctance shown by certain American citizens to leave Mexico, in accordance with this Government’s advice.
In reply I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a telegram which I am to-day sending to a number of American consular officers still in Mexico. It is suggested that this telegram be repeated by the Navy Department to all United States naval vessels in Mexican waters, with instructions to the commanders thereof to cooperate with American consular officers in making the contents of the said telegram generally known among American citizens. As soon as that shall have been accomplished, it is requested that the naval forces in Mexican waters be instructed in accordance with your suggestion, contained in the sixth paragraph of your letter, which reads as follows:
First. When opportunity is offered for the transportation to the United States of refugees on board naval vessels, they must either accept such transportation or be put on shore.
I have [etc.]