Office of the Historian

File No. 812.00/18020

Generals Scott and Funston to the Secretary of War

[Telegram]
El Paso, Texas, April 30, 1916.

We received General Obregon and party on their official call this morning with every courtesy and arranged for conference this afternoon. Mexicans made quite a point of having conference in Juarez which request was acceded to at once. We gave the views of the Department as laid down in instructions and endeavored to get full [Page 534] cooperation and use of railway. The conference was most amicable throughout but Mexicans contending always for immediate withdrawal of troops from Mexico, saying that Villa is dead or, if alive, innocuous. Two hundred of his followers killed, remainder dispersed, and there is no one now to seek for. Obregon claims that continued presence of American troops in Mexico makes his task most difficult, as no satisfactory explanation can be made to Mexican people. He made no threats. We evidently came to discuss one question, Obregon another. He would not discuss cooperation as he several times put aside politely request for cooperation and use of railway, declining to discuss anything but withdrawal of troops. Conference lasted two hours with deadlock imminent, when conference was amicably broken off, saying the Mexican position would be telegraphed our Government. Conference will be resumed on receipt of reply. General Funston and I think our approved proposition should be adhered to, viz., to hold our present position until our Government is satisfied that Villa is killed or captured, under no circumstances to retire north of Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, until this accomplished. Very few Mexicans are in the Santa Maria and Casas Grandes valleys and should be controllable if desire is sincere. We warned Obregon of collection of bandits near Victoria to invade lower Rio Grande river section of United States, which might bring on a condition in Tamaulipas similar to that now in Chihuahua. Obregon promised to investigate. Nothing has been given out to the press. Request early reply. Copy sent Secretary of War.

  • Scott
  • Funston