File No. 812.00/18544
General Funston to the Secretary of War
1642. Following received from General Pershing:
The following telegram has just been received.
“Number 13. Chihuahua Headquarters June 16, 1916. General Pershing, Casa Grandes. I have orders from my Government to prevent, by the use of arms, new invasions of my country by American forces and also to prevent the American forces that are in this State from moving to the south, east or west of the places they now occupy. I communicate this to you for your knowledge for the reason that your forces will be attacked by the Mexican forces if these instructions are not heeded.
“Courteously,
“J. B. Treviño,
“The General in Chief”
My reply just sent as follows:
“Field Headquarters American Expedition, Casas Grandes, Mexico, June 16, 1916. General J. B. Treviño, Chihuahua, Mexico. I am in receipt of your telegram advising me that your Government has directed you to prevent any movement to the east, south or west of the American forces now in Mexico, and that should such movement take place the American forces will be attacked by Mexican forces. In reply you are informed that my Government has placed no such restrictions upon the movements of the American forces. I shall therefore use my own judgment as to when and in what direction I shall move my forces in pursuit of bandits or in seeking information regarding bandits. If under these circumstances the Mexican forces attack any of my columns the responsibility for the consequences will lie with the Mexican Government.
“Respectfully yours,
“John J. Pershing,
“Commanding General American
Forces”
Have notified advance column[s] of situation and given instructions in the premises. Shall continue reconnaissance necessary to keep in touch movement of Carranza forces.