File No. 812.0144/98
The Secretary of State
to the Mexican Ambassador (Bonillas)
No. 519
Washington,
July 10, 1918.
Excellency: Referring to your excellency’s
note No. A–1890, of May 9 last, and to previous correspondence
respecting the burning of Pilares ranch, in the State of Chihuahua,
Mexico, by American troops, on March 29, 1918, I have the honor to
inform you that the matter is receiving the Department’s serious
consideration, and that I shall advise your excellency, as soon as
possible, of its decision in the matter.
Accept [etc.]
The Secretary of
State to the Secretary of War (Baker)
Washington,
July 10, 1918.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 5th ultimo, transmitting a
copy of the report of the investigation of the burning of the
Pilares ranch, Mexico, by American soldiers, on March 29,
1918.1
So many complaints have been made to this Department since the
first of January last, by the Mexican Ambassador at this
Capital, of the invasion of Mexican territory by American
soldiers, and of their firing across the border, resulting in
some cases in the killing or wounding of Mexican citizens, that
the Department is embarrassed thereby, and finds it difficult to
answer the Mexican complaints. The case of the burning of the
Pilares ranch is especially embarrassing.
With the view, therefore, that our soldiers on the border may
give as little excuse as possible for such complaints, and in
order that our conduct towards Mexico may be in harmony with the
sentiments expressed by the President ever since the beginning
of his incumbency of office, and reiterated on June 7, 1918, in
his address to the Mexican editors,2 I have the honor to suggest that the
orders given to the officers in command of the forces along the
Mexican border be so modified as to prevent American soldiers
from entering Mexico or firing across the border into Mexico,
without specific orders in each case from the War
Department.
I have [etc.]
