File No. 312.11/7433
The Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State
Washington , March 14, 1916 .
Sir: In view of possible events requiring that official aid should be afforded to American citizens resident in Mexico to quit that country, and of the possible resulting duty that may devolve upon the Navy Department in meeting such a necessity, I have the honor to request that I be furnished promptly with as complete data as may be practicable, giving the names of the ports, both on the east and west coasts of Mexico, at which American refugees may be collected, and, as nearly as can be foretold, the numbers that are likely to need aid in leaving each port.
Sincerely yours,