File No. 312.11/260a.
The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.
Washington, April 20, 1912—1 p.m.
Department’s April 15, 8 p.m. To forestall misinterpretation of sending vessel, the Mexican Government should heartily cooperate. Explain to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and then very carefully give currency through the press to the following ideas:
“Suspension of railroad communication and interruption of telegraph service have caused the isolation of American citizens on the west coast, especially at Los Mochis and Mazatlan, where there are large numbers of them. There are, moreover, many reports of increased lawlessness on the west coast. These facts are causing much anxiety to people in the region affected, as well as to their friends in the United States. In view thereof the President will probably send a vessel to get news of the American citizens in the localities referred to and to afford an opportunity to leave the disturbed districts to those who may wish to do so. This seems necessary, because otherwise there is no way to learn of the safety of those Americans who are at present entirely cut off from communication from the outside world, and also of any means of leaving.”
Your action should be simultaneous with that of the Department, which will make the same intimation to the press here to appear in the morning papers of the 21st.