File No. 812.00/20503

The Secretary of War to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary: Referring further to your letter of January 9, 19172 enclosing copy of a communication from Mr. Ramon P. De Negri, in charge of the interests of the de facto Government of Mexico, in Washington, protesting against the alleged occupation by the American forces now in Mexico, of public offices, including that of the telegraph at Palomas, State of Chihuahua, I beg leave to advise you that the commanding general, punitive expedition, United States Army, Dublan, Mexico, reported on January 20, 1917, as follows:

Those buildings at Palomas that are occupied by our troops are the property of the Palomas Land and Cattle Company, who gave authority for their occupancy by us. Our troops are not occupying all the buildings there but they are all claimed by the Palomas Land and Cattle Company.

These buildings are the most ordinary cheap grade of adobe shacks, used by the owners of the ranch as shelter for their employees. It is understood that the Mexican Government at one time occupied one of the buildings as a telegraph office and, at various times, have quartered small detachments of troops in some of the other buildings, but it is my understanding and my firm belief that the Mexican Government has no title to any of them.

Sincerely yours,

Newton D. Baker
  1. Not printed.