File No. 312.11/7763
The Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State
Washington, June 6, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of June 3, 1916, in reference to the disposition of naval forces in Mexican waters.
The commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet has been informed of the sense of your suggestion in reference to the proposed distribution to cover the ports of Guaymas, Topolobampo, Mazatlan, Manzanillo and Acapulco, and has been directed to dispose of the forces under his command at discretion.
[Page 670]The senior naval officer present in Atlantic Mexican waters has been informed of the sense of your recommendation in reference to the location of the Marietta or Machias in the Panuco River, and has been directed to dispose of the naval forces under his command at his discretion.
In reference to the disposition of naval forces in the Panuco River, I do not feel justified in limiting the discretion of the senior naval officer present in that regard, as he, by virtue of his intimate knowledge of local conditions, must necessarily be the best judge of the disposition to be made of his forces. Should your Department, however, be particularly desirous that specific American or foreign interests in the neighborhood of Tampico be given particular protection in preference to other interests, I will be glad to inform the senior naval officer present of your wishes in order that he may dispose his forces accordingly.
Very sincerely yours,