File No. 812.00/17413
Special Agent Belt to the Secretary of State
Department’s March 9, 4 p.m. At request of Mr. Silliman, presented this representation as soon after departure from Guadalajara as possible. General Carranza requested that I first present matter to Secretary Acuña, upon which I advised him that, owing to extreme importance of matter, I trusted he would handle it personally. Secretary Acuña advised me that they were in receipt of the news of attack last night at 8 oclock. After presenting Department’s representation, [Page 484] dwelling upon the very serious situation, his first remark was: “The fact that Villa and his forces have entered United States territory is evidence of the strength of the de facto Government’s forces.” I have conferred at length with him and have urged the necessity of a full reply to this representation inasmuch as the position of the de facto Government in the matter would be clearly set forth. He promised to immediately take up this representation with the Chief Executive. He further assures me that the two of us can jointly take up the matter with the Chief. I have asked for an answer to the six following questions as a basis for a fuller understanding of the facts:
- (1)
- Was the de facto Government aware of the presence of Villista troops in the Casas Grandes district?
- (2)
- Did the Mexican Consul at El Paso request General Carranza to furnish additional troops for the State of Chihuahua?
- (3)
- Upon receipt of this advice, what action was taken by the de facto Government to furnish additional forces?
- (4)
- What effective action will be taken by the de facto Government to pursue, capture and punish this lawless element, especially as pertains to Villa and those responsible for the Columbus atrocity?
- (5)
- Will the Chief Executive return to Querétaro direct owing to the seriousness of this situation?
- (6)
- What expression does the Chief Executive care to make for the information of the Government of the United States pertaining to this serious question?
Secretary Acuña said he would endeavor to answer these questions.