File No. 812.00/20503

The Secretary of State to Mr. De Negri

Sir: In further reply to your letter of January 8, 1917, stating that the forces of the Pershing expedition were occupying certain offices at Palomas, State of Chihuahua, Mexico, I beg to inform you that I am in receipt of a letter, dated February 8, 1917, from the Secretary of War, from which it appears that the American troops at Palomas occupied only buildings belonging to American citizens, and that the said American owners gave authority for the occupancy of the buildings.

I am [etc.]

Robert Lansing