File No. 812.113/4960.
The Secretary of State to Minister Long
Washington, October 12, 1916, 5 p.m.
Informally and unofficially say to Foreign Office [Salvador] that this Government is deeply interested in restoration law and order in Mexico; that it is feared that if munitions are permitted to go to Mexico from Salvador they would eventually fall into hands of lawless elements and tend to prolong the strife which unfortunately exists in Mexico, and that the Government of the United States would consider it a very friendly act if the Salvadorean Government would prevent shipment of munitions of war to Mexico, pending return of more nearly normal conditions in that country.
Keep Department promptly informed of any apparent plan to send munitions to Mexico through sale or otherwise.