File No. 818.00/152
The Secretary of State to Chargé Johnson
Washington, May, 24, 1917—5 p.m.
Your May 17, 8 p.m. and May 18, 2 p.m. You are referred to page 20, paragraph 51 of Instructions to Diplomatic Officers. The Department directs you to informally request of Minister for Foreign Affairs of the de facto Government assurances for the safety of members of the family of Gonzáles, if they leave the American Legation. Upon receipt of such assurances you are instructed to inform those who have taken refuge in the Legation that, in view of the fact that you have received these assurances you must request that they leave the Legation forthwith, carefully explaining to them the instructions of the Department which are set forth in the above-mentioned book.