Senate Doc. No. 324,

64th Congress, 1st sess.

The President’s message transmitting to the Senate a report of the Secretary of State

To the Senate:

In response to the resolution adopted by the Senate on January 6, 1916, requesting the President to inform the Senate, if not incompatible with the public interests, upon certain subjects respecting the situation in Mexico, and to transmit to the Senate the documents, letters, reports, orders, and so forth, therein referred to, I transmit herewith a report by the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers.

The report of the Secretary of State has my approval.

Woodrow Wilson
[Inclosure]

Report of the Secretary of State to the President

To the President:

The resolution adopted by the United States Senate on January 6, 1916, requesting to be furnished, if not incompatible with the public interest, with documents, letters, reports, orders, etc., relating to the Mexican situation, having been referred by you to the Department of State for report, I have the honor to state, after earnest consideration of the request in the, light of such study as the Department has given this subject for a period of several years, that I believe it to be incompatible with the public, interest to transmit to the Senate, at the present time, the voluminous correspondence called for by the resolution between the Department of State and the representatives of the United States in Mexico, or that between; this department and representatives of the de facto Government of Mexico, of which Gen. Venustiano Carranza is the Chief Executive.

In response, however, to the inquiries made in the resolution, I have had prepared the following concise statement, together with copies of certain pertinent documents which are hereto appended:

(1) The government at present existing in Mexico is a de facto government, established by military power, which has definitely committed itself to the holding of popular elections upon the restoration of domestic peace.

(2) This de facto Government of Mexico, of which Gen. Venustiano Carranza is the Chief Executive, was recognized by the Government of the United [Page 470] States on October 19, 1915, and a copy of the letter to Mr. Eliseo Arredondo, the representative of the de facto government at this capital, informing him of such recognition is hereto appended (inclosure No. 1).4 The said de facto government has since been recognized by substantially all the countries of Latin America; also by Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia, Japan, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Spain; and several other countries have recently announced their intention of extending recognition. The said de facto government is at present maintained at Querétaro, near Mexico City.

It can not be said that the de facto Government of Mexico is a constitutional government. The de facto government, like the majority of revolutionary governments, is of a military character, but, as already stated, that government has committed itself to the holding of elections, and it is confidently expected that the present government will, within a reasonable time, be merged in or succeeded by a government organized under the constitution and laws of Mexico.

(3) After July, 1914, the revolutionary party became divided into factions, thereby delaying the pacification of the country. Meanwhile, this Government took no action, holding that these factions would, by reunion, be able to restore order. As this desirable result had not been achieved up to June 2, 1915, the President’s statement of that date, containing a warning to the leaders of the factions, was telegraphed to the American consular officers in Mexico, for circulation. A copy of this statement is appended hereto (inclosure No. 2).5

Several weeks after the statement was issued, as the factional differences seemed to be no nearer to a settlement, this Government sounded the six ranking diplomatic representatives of Latin America as to whether they would confer and advise with this Government in regard to formulating some practicable plan, if possible, for the solution of the Mexican problem. Under instructions from their respective Governments, these representatives signified their desire to cooperate with this Government, and the first conference with the representatives was held on August 5, last.

As a result of that conference the Ambassadors of Argentina, Brazil and Chile, the Ministers of Bolivia, Uruguay and Guatemala, and the Secretary of State of the United States, acting severally, signed an appeal to the civil and military leaders of the revolutionary factions in Mexico, suggesting that the latter hold a conference to discuss a peaceful settlement of their differences and offered to act as intermediaries to arrange the time, place and other details of such conference. Identical communications in this sense were, under date of August 13 and 14 last, sent by telegraph to all generals, governors, and other leaders known to be exercising civil or military authority in Mexico. A copy of this communication is appended (inclosure No. 3).6

The attempt to bring the factions together for a conference failed. Substantially all the commanders and others in authority who were associated with Gen. Villa, replied directly and independently, in varied language, accepting the suggestion for a conference. On the other hand, all the commanders and others in authority who were affiliated with Gen. Carranza replied briefly to the effect that the appeal had been referred to Gen. Carranza, whose superior authority they acknowledged, and who would make such reply as he deemed proper. The inference to be drawn was plain. On the one hand, there seemed to be no central organization among the Villista forces, while, on the other hand, submission to a central authority was evidenced in the replies of the Carrancistas. The unity and loyalty of the Carrancistas appeared to indicate the ultimate triumph of that faction, especially as the Carrancista forces were then in control of approximately 75 per cent of the territory of Mexico. Accordingly the conferees, after careful and impartial consideration of all the circumstances, decided unanimously to recommend severally to their respective Governments that in their opinion the government of which Gen. Carranza was the leader should be recognized as the de facto government of Mexico.

(4) There is appended hereto a copy of a letter from Mr. Eliseo Arredondo, the local representative of Gen. Carranza in Washington, dated October 7, 1915 (inclosure No. 4),7 transmitting several documents (inclosures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 4F)7 setting forth the program of the de facto Government with respect to the protection of the lives and property of foreigners in Mexico, [Page 471] the settlement of claims arising from the disturbed conditions, and other matters appertaining to the restoration of order.

As to the ability of the de facto Government to fulfill its promises to protect lives and properties along the border, the undersigned has the honor to call your attention to the fact that since assurances in this respect were given to this Government by the de facto Government, the disturbances along the border have in a large measure ceased. In this connection a copy of a letter from the Secretary of War, dated February 10, 1916 (inclosure No. 5)8 and copies of weekly reports Nos. 146 and 148 for the weeks ending January 1 and January 15, 1916, prepared by the War Department, concerning general conditions along the Mexican border (inclosures Nos. 5A and 5B)Y are hereto appended. It will be seen from these reports that conditions along the border are practically normal.

In respect to the evidence in the possession of this Government of the ability of the de facto Government of Mexico to fulfill its promises and obligations relative to protecting American lives and property in Mexico, the Department’s information indicates that the de facto Government is now in control of all but a few sections of Mexico, and that, bearing in mind that the nation is just emerging from years of domestic strife, it may be said that within the territory which it controls it is affording, in all circumstances, reasonably adequate protection to the lives and property of American citizens and that it is taking steps to extend its authority over and restore order in sections now in the hands of hostile factions. In this connection, however, it should be stated that the lawless conditions which have long continued throughout a large part of the territory of Mexico are not easy to remedy and that the great number of bandits who have infested certain districts and devastated property in such territory can not be suppressed immediately, but that their suppression will require some time for its accomplishment, pending which it may be expected that they will commit sporadic outrages upon lives and property.

(5) With reference to the protection of the lives and property of American citizens on or near the Mexican border, there is inclosed herewith an extract from a letter on the subject from the Secretary of War, dated January 26, 1916 (inclosure No. 6).

(6) With regard to the settlement of American claims against the Mexican Republic for injuries to the lives or property of American citizens, the undersigned has the honor to direct your attention to the copy of a letter from Mr. Arredondo, dated October 7, 1915, and its inclosures, heretofore referred to and hereto appended as inclosure No. 4, and its annexes.

(7) With reference to the assurances given by the Mexican Government concerning the protection of foreigners and “citizens,” particularly respecting the free exercise of religion, the undersigned incloses herewith a copy of a letter on the subject from Mr. Arredondo, dated October 8, 1915 (inclosure No. 7)9

(8) As heretofore stated, it is not considered compatible with the public interest to transmit to the Senate at the present time the correspondence regarding political conditions in Mexico. Much of this correspondence is of a highly confidential nature, submitted by the consular officers of the United States, by diplomatic or consular officers of other Governments, which have graciously consented that their officers might supply this Government with information during the necessary absence of American representatives, and by other persons residing in Mexico. To reveal the contents of the reports submitted by representatives of the United States and by the representatives of other Governments, would be incompatible with public interest, as it would tend to impair the usefulness of these officials to their respective Governments; and to make public the personal and frequently confidential statements submitted from time to time by civilians, might seriously embarrass them.

It may be added that the papers requested by the Senate resolution comprise thousands of documents, the greater part of which set forth individual opinions and suggestions from different points of view, and therefore contain a mass of divergent and contradictory matter incapable of reduction to a harmonious statement of fact regarding the situation in Mexico or of the plans proposed for its improvement.

(9) With reference to the request for “data, letters, and reports relating to the closing of the port of El Paso and reopening same to importations of meat from Juarez,” the undersigned has the honor to state that the port of El Paso has not been closed during this administration to the importation of [Page 472] meats from Juarez. If meats from Juarez were at any time prohibited entry into the United States, it was because such meats Were not properly prepared to pass the inspection maintained under the regulations of the Department of Agriculture of this Government and not because the port of El Paso was closed to any particular class of imports.

With respect to the revocation of the mining decree issued by Gen. Villa, the undersigned incloses an extract from a dispatch from the American Consul at Chihuahua, dated July 31, 1915 (inclosure No. 8),10 and a copy of the Department’s reply thereto, dated August 11, 1915 (inclosure No. 8A).11 There is also inclosed a copy of a telegram in regard to this matter from the Mine and Smelter Operators’ Association, dated at El Paso, Tex., August 6, 1915 (inclosure No. 8B),12 together with a copy of an undated telegram from Mr. George C. Car others, the Department’s special agent, received by the Department on August 12, 1915 (inclosure No. 8C),11 stating that Gen. Villa’s mining decree would not be enforced.

(10) Concerning the occupation and evacuation of Vera Cruz by United States land and naval forces, the undersigned has the honor to inclose a copy of Admiral Fletcher’s telegram to the Secretary of the Navy, dated April 9, 1914 (inclosure No. 9),13 quoting a telegram from Admiral Mayo, of the same date, reporting the arrest at Tampico of the paymaster and a boat’s crew of the U. S. S. Dolphin; a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, dated January 19, 1916 (inclosure No. 9A); and an extract from a letter from the Secretary of War, dated January 26, 1916 (inclosure No. 9B), hereinbefore mentioned as inclosure No. 6, in which reference is made to border conditions.

When the arrest of the men mentioned was reported to the Department of State, informal negotiations were immediately begun with the Huertista government with a view of settling the difficulty, but, owing to the refusal of Gen. Huerta to comply with Admiral Mayo’s demand for a salute, the negotiations were suspended. The American consuls in Mexico were informed by telegraph on April 20, 1914, that the negotiations had been suspended, and that the President would lay the matter before the Congress on that date, with a view to taking such action as might be necessary to obtain reparation for the offense against the flag and Navy of the United States, and they were instructed to advise Americans to withdraw from Mexican territory.

On September; 15, 1914, 7 p.m., the Department of State dispatched a telegram to the Minister of Brazil at Mexico City, temporarily in charge of American interests, for delivery by him to Vice Consul Silliman, in which the latter was instructed to say to Gen. Carranza that the President was arranging to withdraw the American troops from Vera Cruz, and that he desired that some responsible authority be named to whom the customhouse could be turned over and that officials be designated to whom authority in the city could be delivered. On September 22, a telegram was sent to the Minister of Brazil, in which the Carranza government was requested to give certain assurances in regard to the payment of taxes, treatment of refugees at Vera Cruz, and other matters. A copy of this telegram is inclosed herewith (inclosure No. 10).14

On November 10, 1914, the Minister of Brazil at Mexico City telegraphed Gen. Carranza’s reply to the assurances requested on September 22. A copy of this telegram is inclosed herewith (inclosure No. 11.)15

I have also the honor to append a list (inclosure No. 12) of the citizens of the United States, who from various causes, have lost their lives in Mexico during the years 1913, 1914, and 1915. The total is 76. From the latter part of February, 1913, when the military operations against Gen. Huerta began, to the close of the year 1915, a period of 34 months, a great portion of the territory of Mexico was the scene of domestic strife. Yet it may be noted that during the years 1910, 1911, and 1912, when a much smaller area was disturbed by war, 47 Americans lost their lives in Mexico (inclosure No. 12A); and this was at a time when the country was assumed to be at peace, since the Madero revolution, which began on November 20, 1910, lasted only six months.

While 76 Americans lost their lives in the entire territory of Mexico during the years 1913, 1914, and 1915, in the same period there were 20 civilian [Page 473] Americans and 16 American soldiers killed on American soil, adjacent to the international boundary (inclosures Nos. 12B and 12C), and during those years there were approximately 92 Mexicans killed in the same area (inclosure No. 12D).

These figures indicate that a condition; of lawlessness prevailed along the border, due in large measure to factional conflicts in Mexican territory for ports of entry, and to the unfriendly personal relations existing between the American and Mexican residents in that region. The Department, however, has no reliable information as to the number of Mexicans killed on the Mexican side of the boundary and in its immediate vicinity as a consequence of this state of disorder.

Respectfully submitted.

Robert Lansing

[Inclosures 1–5]

[Untitled]

[These inclosures are printed elsewhere, as indicated in the footnotes to the Secretary’s letter.]

[Inclosure 6]

The Secretary of War to the Secretary of State

My dear Mr. Secretary: Referring further to your letter of January 17, 1916, stating that the Department of State has been directed by the President to prepare an answer to Senate resolution, dated January 6, 1918, in regard to the Mexican situation, and requesting that a statement be prepared by this Department respecting the orders given to Gen. Funston for the protection of American lives and property on the Mexican border, together with any pertinent facts concerning the occupation and evacuation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, by the forces of the United States, I beg leave to advise you that the records of the Department show as follows:

1. mexican border

Advices having been received by the State Department indicating serious unrest and intrigue on both sides of the Mexican border, and information having been received from the Mexican Government through its Ambassador in Washington16 that bands of revolutionists were assembling at various places along the frontier of Texas, directions were issued on November 19, 1910, to the commanding generals of the Departments of Texas and Colorado to investigate the situation on the frontier and to advise the War Department as to what precautionary measures were deemed practicable and necessary. As a result of the reports received, the commanding general, Department of Texas, was authorized, under, date of November 21, 1910, whenever: in his judgment such act on became necessary, to send troops to aid the civil authorities in enforcing the neutrality laws and under date of. November 22, 1910, he reported to the War Department that, in pursuance of the instructions before referred to, he had sent one troop of cavalry to Del Rio and another troop to Eagle Pass, Tex.

The internal situation: in Mexico having become more acute, and reports received from the State Department and the Department of Justice, as well as from officers of the Army on duty on the Mexican border, having indicated that serious disturbances were imminent, additional troops were sent to places on the border until the entire border line from the mouth of the Rio Grande to San Diego, Cal., was patrolled by United States troops in order to secure the strict enforcement of the rules of international law governing neutrality, as well as to obtain a proper observance and enforcement of the neutrality statutes of the Federal Government. To this end the proper officers were directed to use diligence to see that such rules and laws were observed. Troops have been kept on the border for the purposes stated from that time to the present writing.

[Page 474]

Commanders of United States troops on the Mexican border were ordered to give all possible protection to American life and property, to warn the commanders of Mexican forces along the border to refrain from any action that would endanger American life and property on the American side of the border, and to inform them that United States forces would be used to prevent action by Mexican troops endangering life and property on the American side of the line.

Sincerely yours,

Lindley M. Garrison
[Inclosures 7, 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, and 9]

[These inclosures are printed elsewhere, as indicated in the footnotes to the Secretary’s letter.]

[Inclosure No. 9A]

The Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 17, 1916, in which you inform this Department that the President has directed the Department of State to prepare a reply to Senate resolution dated January 6, 1916, requesting certain documents, letters, reports, orders, and so forth, in regard to the Mexican situation, in connection with which you request that a statement be prepared for you embodying the pertinent facts concerning the occupation of Vera Cruz by our naval forces. It is noted that you have requested the Secretary of War to have a similar statement prepared.

In compliance with your request, I have the honor to inform you that on the night of April 20, 1914, in obedience to orders from the President of the United States, Admiral Fletcher, commanding the naval forces then stationed off Vera Cruz, Mexico, was directed to seize and hold the customhouse at Vera Cruz and not to permit war supplies to be delivered to the Huerta government or to any other party. These orders were received by Admiral Fletcher at 8 a.m. on April 21. The American Consul was immediately notified and directed to send all foreigners aboard the Ward Line steamer Mexico, then in the harbor of Vera Cruz. The Mexican military commandant was notified of the intention of our forces to take charge of the customhouse. At 11.30 a.m. on April 21 a landing force from the U. S. S. Florida, Utah and Prairie, totaling 787 officers and men, of which 502 were marines, had been landed and had taken charge of the customhouse, cable station, railway station and post office at Vera Cruz. No resistance was encountered on the initial landing, but about noon the Mexican forces began firing on the American troops, so that in order to hold the customhouse it became necessary to occupy the city of Vera Cruz. Reinforcements arrived on the night of the 21st instant, and by April 24 complete control of the city was gained by the American forces. On April 24 Admiral Fletcher declared martial law in the city of Vera Cruz. Army transports arrived at Vera Cruz on April 28, and after conference with Gen. Funston, Admiral Fletcher established a civil government under martial law.

At 8 a.m. on April 30, the forces of the Army were landed from transports, and at 2 p.m. of that date control of the city was taken over by the Army. The naval forces, with the exception of the marines, were withdrawn to the vessels in the harbor, and the marines were assigned to duty with the Army.

Copies of all messages in reference to the occupation of Vera Cruz were sent to your department. Sincerely yours,

Josephus Daniels
[Inclosure No. 9B]

The Secretary of War to the Secretary of State

My dear Mr. Secretary: Referring further to your letter of January 17, 1916, stating that the Department of State has been directed by the President to prepare an answer to Senate resolution dated January 6, 1916, in regard to the Mexican situation, and requesting that a statement be prepared by this [Page 475] Department respecting the orders given to Gen. Funston for the protection of American lives and property on the Mexican border, together with any pertinent facts concerning the occupation and evacuation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, by the forces of the United States, I beg leave to advise you that the records of the Department show as follows:

1. mexican border

[This section of the letter appears above as Inclosure No. 6.]

2. occupation and evacuation of vera cruz, mexico

Vera Cruz, Mexico, having been, by direction of the President, occupied by the naval forces of the United States, instructions were issued on April 23, 1914, to the commanding general, second division, Texas City, Tex., to cause the reinforced Fifth Brigade to embark as soon as practicable on the Army transports Sumner, MeClellan, Kilpatrick and Meade, and to proceed at once to Vera Cruz.

On April 24, 1914, the four regiments of Infantry of the Fifth Brigade, together with Company E. Second Battalion of Engineers, and Field Hospital No. 3, a total of 182 officers and 3,047 enlisted men, sailed from Galveston, Tex., under the command of Brig. Gen. Funston, United States Army, and arrived in Vera Cruz Harbor on April 28, 1914, and disembarked. On April 26, 1914, the First Battalion of the Fourth Field Artillery sailed from Texas City for Vera Cruz on the chartered transport Satilla to join Gen. Funston’s command.

On April 26, 1914, orders were issued to Gen. Funston, in compliance with instructions received from the President, upon arrival at Vera Cruz, to relieve the Navy of its duties ashore incident to the occupation and control of the city of Vera Cruz and its environs. General Funston was advised on the Same date that pursuant to the orders of the President the First Brigade, United States Marine Corps, would be placed under his command for service with the Army.

On April 29, 1914, the headquarters, band, and detachment of the First Battalion, Fourth Field Artillery, and Troops I and K, Sixth Cavalry, sailed from Galveston for Vera Cruz on the chartered transport San Marcos; and on April 30, 1914, Company D, Signal Corps, sailed for Vera Cruz on the naval transport Esperanza.

Gen. Funston reported taking over from the Navy the command at Vera Cruz on the afternoon of April 30, 1914.

A military government was established by General Orders, No. 3, Headquarters, United States Expeditionary Forces, May 2, 1914. This order set forth the principle that the government established thereby would continue the system to which the people of Vera Cruz were accustomed, in so far as consistent with military control, and from that date until the evacuation the Army continued to administer the civil affairs of the city.

The executive branches of the military government established by the general order cited above consisted of the following:

  • The office of the provost marshal general.
  • The office of the treasurer.
  • The customs service, including the lighthouse service, to which was later added the pilot service.
  • The United States mail agency and the general post office.

Each of these branches was placed in charge of an officer of the Army, except the customs service, which was administered by Commander H. O. Stickney, United States Navy, as administrator of customs and captain of the port, and the United States mail agency and the general post office, which were administered by Mr. H. M. Robinson, an official of the Post Office Department, sent to Vera Cruz for the purpose.

Prior to the evacuation, instructions were issued to Gen. Funston to bring with him to the United States all funds in his possession from whatever source derived, both United States funds and Mexican custom receipts and taxes. He was also instructed to bring with him all the records, accounts, and money papers necessary to establish the integrity and accuracy of his financial and other administration, and to make an inventory of all goods in the customhouse, keeping the original of such inventory and leaving a copy with the American consul at Vera Cruz. Gen. Funston was also authorized to leave with the latter such copies of accounts or other data as might be required by whomsoever might continue the government of the city.

[Page 476]

On November 14, 1914, as the result of an announcement issued by the State Department on November 13, 1914, Gen. Funston was directed to make all preparations to leave Vera Cruz Monday, November 23, 1914.

On November 20, 1914, Gen. Funston was instructed to evacuate Vera Cruz on the date specified above, viz, Monday, November 23, 1914.

On November 23, 1914, Gen. Funston advised the Department that he would embark his command at 2 o’clock on the afternoon of that day on the transports Sumner, Kilpatrick, Cristobal, McClellan, Kansan, Antilla, City of Memphis, Denver and San Marcos.

On November 26, 1914, Gen. Funston reported the arrival of his command at Galveston, Tex.

Subsequently to his arrival at Galveston, Gen. Funston reported that the Mexican funds brought with him to the United States, together with the money papers pertaining thereto, had been placed for safe-keeping in the strong room of the First National Bank at Galveston, storage room for all other records of the military government of Vera Cruz having been provided by the depot quartermaster at Galveston. In this connection Gen. Funston suggested the advisability of sending the Mexican funds and the records of the treasurer’s office to the subtreasury at New Orleans, La., for safe-keeping. Upon receipt of that suggestion the Department, communicated at once with the Treasury Department with a view to ascertaining as to whether it would be practicable to place these funds and records in the subtreasury at New Orleans as suggested, and the Treasury Department, having signified its willingness to have the funds and records so transferred, Maj. Blanton Winship, judge advocate, United States Army, who had immediate charge of these funds and records, was advised accordingly.

On January 1, 1915, Maj. Winship reported that he had on that date shipped to the subtreasury at New Orleans, La., one field safe, sealed, containing 1,539,051.20 Mexican pesos, and the books and records pertaining to the military treasurer’s office, together with one sealed wooden box containing 1,065,000 Mexican pesos, or a net total of 2,604,051.20 pesos.

On January 12, 1915, the Department advised the Secretary of State of the transfer of the Mexican funds and records, as set forth above.

Sincerely yours,

Lindley M. Garrison
[Inclosures 10 and 11]

[These inclosures are printed elsewhere, as indicated in the footnotes to the Secretary’s letter.]

[Inclosure No. 12—Extract]

Americans killed in Mexico during the years 1913, 1914 and 1915

The list of Americans killed in Mexico during the period mentioned above is subdivided into five classes as follows:

(1) Americans killed in Mexico from causes that can be attributed directly to the revolutionary disturbances 18
(2) Americans who have disappeared in Mexico in 1913, 1914 and 1915 and who were probably killed from causes that can be attributed directly to the revolutionary disturbances 6
(3) Americans killed, apparently through motives of robbery or revenge (not including those killed by Indians) 10
(4) Americans killed by Indians, apparently through motives of robbery or revenge 12
(5) Americans killed in Mexico during the revolutionary disturbances in the years 1913, 1914 and 1915 from miscellaneous causes and causes not definitely stated 30
Grand total of Americans killed during the period mentioned 76

[List of names]

In this connection it may be stated that when the murder of American citizens was reported the Department of State made representations, through its representatives, for the apprehension and punishment of the [Page 477] assailants; and in some instances the Department’s representatives made such representations to the appropriate officials on their own initiative.

Where there has been no definite information as to the apprehension of those reported to be guilty of outrages on American citizens, resulting in their death, a notation to that effect has been omitted’ from these lists for the sake of brevity.

[Inclosure No. 12 A—Extract]

Americans killed in Mexico in 1910, 1911 and 1912

[List of names]

Total number of Americans killed in Mexico in 1910, as shown above 10
In 1911 22
In 1912 15
Grand total 47
[Inclosure No. 12B—Extract]

American civilians reported killed in United States territory

Americans reported killed in United States territory as a result of the Mexican border troubles during the years 1913, 1914 and 1915:

[Names]

Total number of Americans reported killed as above, 20.

[Inclosure No. 12C—Extract]

American soldiers killed in United States territory

American soldiers killed in American territory on account of Mexican border troubles:

[Names]

Total number of American soldiers killed as above, 16.

[Inclosure No. 12D]

Mexicans reported killed in American territory

Mexicans reported killed in American territory as a result of border troubles other than those resulting from firing across the international line during engagements in Mexican border towns during the period 1913 to 1915, inclusive:

1913 2
1915 87

Note.—One is said to have been killed by Carranza river guards and one was reported killed by Villa soldiers.

Mexicans reported killed in American territory as a result of firing across the international line during engagements in Mexican border towns during the period 1913 to 1915, inclusive:

1913 1
1914 2

Note.—For the years omitted in above tabulation no deaths appear to have been reported.

Total number of Mexicans killed as above, 92.

[Page 478]
[Summary of Inclosures 12B, 12C and 12D]

Total killed in American territory

Total number of Americans killed on the American side as shown by foregoing list 20
Total number of American soldiers killed in United States territory as shown by foregoing list 16
Total number of Mexicans killed 92
Grand total 128

Note.—The lists of American civilians and soldiers killed on American territory, as above stated, are thought to be substantially correct. However, many of the border troubles occurred at a point in the interior of border States, where the local authorities had sole jurisdiction, and there were probably a number of persons killed of which no report was made to the State or War Department. The number of Mexicans killed, as shown above, is based on reports received by the State Department and is thought to be approximately correct.