702.1211 Laredo/43: Telegram
The Chargé in Mexico (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 6:16 p.m.]
7. For Cotton from Clark. Your January 10, 11 a.m. Whatever you want me to do is my job and no bother. Estrada did not call me Wednesday as he promised nor Thursday whereupon having received your telegram of January 9, 2 p.m., No. 7, I asked Herschel Johnson to request an interview for me today, January 10. This was done and I am awaiting the designation of the hour. I have prepared for informal discussion draft of letter Department might send. I will carefully explain it has not been submitted to you and in no way commits our Government. In conversation with Herschel Johnson [Page 530] on regular diplomatic day, Thursday, Estrada admitted situation is serious and is causing him anxiety, primarily it seems lest Mexico be made ridiculous. My draft is designed to suggest a way out without any greater commitments on our part than you already know about. I will do the best I can as fast as I can. [Clark.]