File No. 812.00/17650½
The Secretary of State to
Mr. Arredondo
Department of State,
Washington,
April 4, 1916.
My dear Mr. Arredondo: I enclose a redraft of
the proposed protocol, to which we have given careful consideration, and
in which I have sought to incorporate as far as possible the provisions
desired by your Government. I believe that the variations between your
draft and the enclosed redraft are of such a nature that your Government
can accept them and that the protocol can be speedily signed.
Since this protocol as redrafted could not be applied to the American
forces now in Mexico without their entire withdrawal from the pursuit of
Villa and his band, in which they are engaged, and since it would be
impracticable and unwise to withdraw the United States troops when the
capture of these outlaws seems imminent, I have drafted a formal note
(copy enclosed) excepting the present situation from the operation of
the protocol, to which I trust your Government will be willing to assent
at the same time as the protocol.
I feel that our Governments should be in perfect accord in this matter
and that the de facto Government of Mexico will
appreciate the great expenditure of energy and treasure which this
Government has already made and the advisability of assenting to the
statements in the formal note, since such assent seems to this
Government a necessary condition to the signature of the agreement.
I am sure that you, who are so familiar with the situation, will
understand the necessity of the note and the purpose of this Government,
and will advise your Government accordingly.
I am [etc.]
[Inclosure]
The Secretary of State
to Mr. Arredondo
Department of State,
Washington,
April 3, 1916.
Sir: The Government of the United States,
in entering into the reciprocal agreement with the de facto Government of Mexico relative to the pursuit of
lawless bands across the international boundary by the military
forces of the respective Governments, does so on the understanding
that the conditions imposed by that agreement are not to be applied
to the forces of the United States now in Mexico in pursuit of Villa
and his bandits who attacked and burned Columbus, New Mexico,
killing a number of American citizens, the said forces having in
good faith entered Mexico under a previous agreement which arose out
of the outrage perpetrated by outlaws at Columbus on March 9th.
The Government of the United States assures the de
facto Government of Mexico that, in exercising the
privilege of entry upon Mexican territory, it will confine the
operations of its military forces to the sole object of the present
pursuit, and that immediately upon its accomplishment they will be
withdrawn across the international boundary.
The Government of the United States takes this opportunity to express
its gratification at the consideration and friendliness shown by the
de facto Government in entering into the
previous agreement by which military forces of the United States are
permitted to pursue Villa and his band into Mexican territory, and
desires to assure the de facto Government
that the Government
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of the
United States will respect the confidence thus exhibited and in no
way violate the sovereignty of Mexico or abuse the privilege so
generously and freely granted by the de facto
Government.
Accept [etc.]
