Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 4, 1917

File No. 312.115R39/57

The Secretary of State to Chargé Summerlin

No. 404

Department of State,
Washington, December 26, 1917.

Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegrams Nos. 620 and 627, dated, respectively, December 8, 4 p.m., and December 12, 4 p.m., 1917, on the subject of the attack on Esperanza and the burning of the headquarters of the Richardson Construction Company by Yaqui Indians, I enclose herewith copies of a despatch and of its enclosure from the American Consul at Guaymas, which give an account of conditions in the Yaqui Valley, and of the attack, by Yaqui Indians, on Esperanza and the burning of the Richardson Company’s headquarters.

You will endeavor to impress upon the Foreign Office the seriousness of the situation in the Yaqui Valley as affecting American lives and property.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:

Frank L. Polk