File No. 812.00/3593a.
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.
Washington, April 14, 1912—3 p.m.
Communicate the following without delay to the Minister for Foreign Affairs:
The enormous destruction, constantly increasing, of valuable American properties in the course of the present unfortunate disturbances, the taking of American life contrary to the principles governing such matters among all civilized nations, the increasing dangers to which all American citizens in Mexico are subjected, and the seemingly possible indefinite continuance of this unfortunate situation compel the Government of the United States to give notice that it expects and must demand that American life and property within the Republic of Mexico be justly and adequately protected, and that this Government must hold Mexico and the Mexican people responsible for all wanton or illegal acts sacrificing or endangering American life or damaging American property or interests there situated.
Meanwhile, it should be apparent to all sections of the Mexican people that those who spread baseless rumors or provoke just resentment by attacks upon Americans or other foreign persons or property are working against the best interests and the honor of their country, for which the United States is known to hold, and in the present grave situation is manifesting, the greatest and most sincere friendship, and are seeking for their own selfish ends to burden the future of their countrymen with heavy obligations of enormous damages for their wrongful acts.
How strongly the Government of the United States deprecates even the very few cases of participation by its citizens in the present insurrectionary disturbances is well known to the people of Mexico, and was shown by the President’s proclamation of March 2 and the various other acts of this Government looking to the same end. The Government of the United States must insist and demand that American citizens who may be taken prisoners, whether by one party or the other, as participants in the present insurrectionary disturbances, shall be dealt with in accordance with broad principles of equitable justice and humanity, as well as in accordance with the principles of international law which may be involved, and to which the people of Mexico have given their assent and adherence in numerous international engagements. This Government must hold the Mexican people strictly responsible for any departure from such principles.
Notwithstanding press reports that certain Mexican officers have announced a contrary policy, the Government of the United States has every confidence in the disposition of the Government of Mexico in the premises, and must request that appropriate instructions be immediately issued to the proper military officers and officials in the sense indicated.
The Consul at Chihuahua, Mr. Letcher, reports receiving a letter1 from Orozco which states that in view of nonrecognition belligerency on the part of the United States the insurrectionary heads would refuse to recognize consular representatives of the United States, and that henceforth he should not address the military leader of the insurrection on behalf of this Government. In this connection the Department is sending to Letcher a copy of the above communication to the Foreign Office, directing him to deliver copy to Orozco, with statement that it sets forth the attitude which must be assumed by this Government, and directing him to make further representations as follows:
The Government and people of the United States have viewed with grave concern the practical murder under the positive order of one of your [Page 788] chief lieutenants of an American citizen who is reported to have been taken prisoner during or at the end of a regular engagement, the prisoner said to have been dressed in regular uniform and obviously one of the regular forces of the established Government of Mexico. The Government of the United States must insist, in so far as the treatment of American citizens taken prisoners by whatever force is concerned, that the rules and principles accepted by civilized nations as controlling their actions in time of war shall be followed and observed, and the Government of the United States must give notice that any deviation from such a course and, indeed, any maltreatment of any American citizen will be deeply resented by the American Government and people, must be fully answered for by the Mexican people, thus tending to difficulties and obligations which it is to the interest of all true Mexican patriots, as it is the desire of the United States, to avoid.
When you address the Minister for Foreign Affairs, point out that the press reports received here state that General Villa has threatened that if Orozco murders American citizens taken prisoners from the Federals he will retaliate by murdering American citizens taken prisoners from the rebels. Point out the utter inhumanity of such action, and say that retaliation by the Federal forces should certainly never be used against American citizens.
- See his telegram to the Secretary, dated April 11, 8 p.m.↩