412.11–Catron, Hiram/Orig.: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Mexico ( Summerlin )

2104. Consul at Tampico telegraphs Department under date of July 15th that he has already informed Embassy that American citizen, Peter Catron was shot to death by bandits near Valles, San Luis Potosi, on or about July 7th. Supplementing such representations as you may have already made under standing instructions, you will formally urge upon the Mexican Government the capture and punishment of those responsible for this murder, and the adoption of adequate measures to prevent a recurrence of the murders of American citizens. You will further state that should the lives of American citizens continue to remain unsafe, and these murders continue by reason of the unwillingness or inability of the Mexican Government to afford adequate protection, this Government may be forced to adopt a radical change in its policy with regard to Mexico.

Phillips