File No. 812.00/20236
Mr. De Negri to the Secretary of State
Washington, January 8, 1917.
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to communicate to your excellency, that I am in receipt of information from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, to the effect that the American forces of the Pershing expedition, described as punitive, have occupied our public offices, including that of the telegraph, at Palomas, State of Chihuahua.
This action is by all means unjustifiable, and in the name of my Government, and by instructions of the same, I have the honor to [Page 905] lay before the Government of your excellency, a most energetic protest, soliciting the immediate withdrawal from said offices, which are the absolute property of Mexico.
In transmitting to your excellency the above information, I cordially ask in the name of the Government of the Republic of Mexico, that the action referred to, atenting [sic] against the sovereignty of my country, be not repeated, and that the Government of your excellency take the necessary measures to avoid the repetition of actions as this.
Not doubting that immediate attention will be given to the request of my Government, I take pleasure [etc.]