File No. 812.00/18033
Generals Scott and Funston to the Secretary of War
Tour telegrams of seven fifty and eleven fifty-nine p.m. April 30, received and carefully considered.
Practically every subject in telegram seven fifty p.m. was considered at last conference except conceding Villa’s elimination which was strongly denied as at variance with the facts. Other subjects were politely rejected. We feel that an ultimatum to retire immediately from Mexican soil was only avoided by diplomatic adjournment. Your telegram eleven fifty-nine p.m. instructs that if deadlock seems imminent another adjournment should be attempted for further instructions from Department. We feel certain that deadlock will result. General Funston last night suggested to General Pershing a closer concentration, warning him and every border commander of tenseness of situation and directing precautions.
Every source of information leads us to believe that Mexican generals are certain of our entire lack of preparedness, feeling that they can cope successfully with the United States and propose to attempt it unless we retire at once. General Calles and Gutierrez have left hurriedly for their stations, probably to prepare for an overt act if we do not withdraw.
We expect accurate information of their instructions from inside source about 11 o’clock May 1. An American correspondent reported to us that he showed to Obregon afternoon April 30, press forecast from Washington, D. C. of our instructions. Obregon turned at once to Trevino and said in substance that one mile or five hundred across the border was the same thing so far as it affected the sovereignty of Mexico. We feel that last conference [Page 536] covered so much of latest instructions which have been rejected that in present temper of Mexicans no good will result from proposing them again and we expect a flat ultimatum to get out of Mexico at once or take the consequences. If acceded to this will be a complete victory for Mexicans over the United States in the eyes of the Mexican people already arrogant and encourage further aggressions. Therefore, in order to comply with directions in telegram of 11:59 p.m. no conference will be called until Department sends further instructions. We feel that the border should be greatly strengthened at once to allow concentration of regular troops to meet expected eventualities in Mexico, repel invasion at many border points and cause Mexicans to feel that the United States is able and willing to repel attacks and we believe that if attacks can be prevented at all this prevention will be best accomplished by show of strength. It is common belief that Carranza and Obregon have had a break. Carranza’s name was not mentioned once at the conference by any Mexican which indicates that Carranza will have no influence on Obregon’s course of action.
- Scott
- Funston