File No. 812.0144/51
The Acting Secretary of State to the Mexican Ambassador ( Bonillas)
Excellency: Referring to the Department’s note No. 324, of the 4th instant, in reply to your excellency’s note of the 18th ultimo, on the subject of the killing of Mrs. Matilde Torres and the wounding of one of her companions by American guards, while the party was attempting to ford the Rio Grande, on the night of October 30, 1917, I have the honor to inform you that I am in receipt of a letter from the Secretary of War, dated the 23d instant, enclosing a report of an investigation of the matter that was made by the Commanding General of the Southern Department. This report, which is dated November 3, 1917, reads as follows:
On or about 9.45 p.m., Oct. 31, 1917, Privates Leo Dion and George McDole, Company H, 34th Infantry, who were patrolling from the Stanton Street bridge and stock yards east, discovered one man about 50 yards in the river going across. This man was too far away to stop. On reaching the other side this man whistled and was answered from the American side of the river. The patrol quickly ran to the spot where the man was seen crossing from, and discovered live people about 30 yards in the river crossing over. They were halted by Private Dion but continued across. He then warned them to halt or he would fire. Private McDole then shouted, “Halt, or I fire.” As they still continued on across, Private McDole fired upon them merely as a warning. As this had no effect, both men then fired at them. As the people crossing reached the other side of the river they fired back upon the patrol. The patrol returned the fire and a scream was heard and one man was seen to fall. Thirty shots were fired in all.
The orders for this patrol the last week had been to allow no one to cross the river from this side and to stop all parties coming across.
Accept [etc.]