File No. 812.0144/45

The Secretary of State to the Mexican Ambassador ( Bonillas )

No. 324

Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note No. A–928, of the 18th ultimo, in which you quote telegrams received by you from your Government wherein it is [Page 550] stated that Francisco and Luis O-Gas and Mrs. Matilde Torres, all Mexican citizens, while attempting to cross the Rio Grande, at the Reforma gate, on the night or October 30, 1917, were fired upon by American guards, and that the woman was killed and one of her companions wounded.

It is also stated, in one of the telegrams, that American patrols very often fire on the Mexican revenue officers along the dividing line, and have killed the latter’s horses.

You request that these complaints be investigated; that the persons found to be guilty be punished; and that appropriate measures be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

In reply I have the honor to inform your excellency that I have sent a translation of your note to the Secretary of War, with the request that these complaints be investigated, and that such action be taken as may be called for by the facts as found. I shall be pleased to communicate with you in regard to the matter, as soon as I am informed of the result of the investigation.

Accept [etc.]

Robert Lansing