File No. 812.00/18030
The Adjutant General to General Scott
Washington, April 30, 1916, 7.50 p.m.
Your telegram signed Scott and Funston received 4.50 this morning. In reply the following instructions of the Secretary of War are communicated for your guidance:
We desire to make all possible concessions to General Obregon and to the de facto Government of Mexico, and concede the probable elimination of Villa, but urge that it is not yet certain and that the formation of similar bands or further activity by undispersed remnants of his followers is not only possible but probable as our most recent reports continue to show attacks upon our people by bands disposed to Villa. We recognize the reasonableness of General Obregon’s suggestions and appreciate the hospitality of the Government and people of Mexico but General Obregon will recall that our difficulty arose from an actual hostile aggression upon American soil and that while we are willing to comply with his suggestions so far as we can without again exposing our border, we must safeguard our people especially along that portion of the border where there is little Mexican population and where it is most difficult for the de facto Government of Mexico to afford us protection. Suggest willingness, therefore, on our part to retire our forces, in a convenient number of days to permit unhurried removal of supplies et cetera, to a place nearer the border than our present advanced positions, to be agreed upon by you with General Obregon, from which place should further trouble appear we can act promptly and effectively in cooperation with the forces of the de facto Government or independently if the need be urgent.
[Page 535]It being understood that complete withdrawal will of course take place so soon as we are assured of the safety of our borders from further aggression. In selecting the place for retirement you should have in mind questions of supply, of ease of operation in case of danger to the border and presence of populations of Americans in Mexico upon whom attack would cause fresh exasperation of opinion in the United States. If General Obregon will agree to the selection of such a place and assure us railroad facilities for supply the presence and activity of our present motor supply system will be removed and one of the most obvious signs of our being there will be removed as a cause of misunderstanding to Mexican people while use of railroads will show that the de facto Government understands temporary character of our presence and approves it as furthering the common object of the two Governments.