812.00/23714: Telegram
The Consul at Vera Cruz ( Foster ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:10 p.m.]
Department’s telegram of April 23, noon. I must inform the Department that unless war vessels are here before the necessity arises there will be no need for them. There has been no time in the past 48 hours when any strong body of men could not have taken and sacked Vera Cruz. General Aguilar has apparently abandoned his campaign in North Vera Cruz and has returned 400 troops to Vera Cruz but there is always the danger of these revolting, killing their officers and looting as has happened in the case of two other garrisons. I am not an alarmist nor a novice in Mexican affairs and I consider the situation fraught with sudden and dangerous possibilities.