File No. 812.113/393.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, April 13, 1912—9 p.m.
Arms have arrived. Military and customs authorities at Vera Cruz are delaying shipment of ammunition, as they have no military escort. I sent the consul at Vera Cruz the following telegram:
Say to the collector of customs and to military commander that their excuses for not forwarding ammunition are regarded as entirely frivolous, as the ammunition needs no guard, being utterly unsuited for any arms except those with which it came; that their attitude is regarded here with the gravest suspicion, and in my name and in the name of the President of the United States insist emphatically that this ammunition shall at once be forwarded to its destination. Use the utmost diligence and report immediately.
Alarm at the delay is very great in the American colony here.