File No. 812.00/17680a
The Secretary of State to Special Representative Rodgers
Washington, March 28, 1916, 6 p.m.
11. Approach de facto Government and tactfully suggest that, pending settlement of terms of protocol, Government consent to our forces using railroad for purpose of bringing up supplies. Point out that this Government freely granted right to General Carranza [Page 504] to use our railroads at a time when it was vitally important for him not only for supplies but for troops, also point out that by depriving this Government of use of railroads it is making more difficult the operations of troops and will consequently necessitate their presence for a longer time in Mexico.