File No. 812.113/304.
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.
Washington, April 4, 1912—1 p.m.
Referring to shipment of arms and your April 2, 11 p.m. The Department believes that if the duty must be paid it should be done in the regular way. However, in view of the special regard that has recently been shown for the welfare of the Mexican nation by this Government it would be very little for that Government to do to permit the entry of this shipment of arms and ammunition for the American colony free of duty. The Department is under the impression that a recent shipment for the German colony at Mexico City was admitted duty free. If that was the case, request similar treatment for American colony. The Department does not favor giving Mexican Government part of shipment in payment of duty.