812.00Sonora/103: Telegram
The Ambassador in Mexico (Morrow) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 7—7:27 a.m.]
67. Minister Estrada informed Colonel MacNab that the Mexican Government desired to purchase certain arms and ammunition from the American Government and that he was sending two army officers to confer with MacNab as to what request to make. These officers stated that the Mexican Government desires to know if it can secure from the United States Government ten thousand rifles preferably Springfields and if not Springfields then Enfields and also ten million rounds of ammunition preferably of recent manufacture for these rifles. This will be in substitution of the seven millimeter rifles referred to in my 54, March 4, 10 p.m. The Mexican Government would be glad to know at once the prices and conditions of payment. If purchase is made immediately, delivery will be desired probably through Tampico.
The Mexican Government advises us that in addition to the nine airplanes, all ordered from the Chance Vought Company and referred to in our 25, February 18, 4 p.m., they will desire five additional pursuit planes and that it will also desire bombs for these planes. They are making inquiry of various airplane manufacturers in the United States but if more prompt delivery can be secured from our Government they will probably desire to arrange a purchase of these five planes directly from our Government.