File No. 812.00/16075a.
The Secretary of State to Consul Johnson.
Washington, August 28, 1915—1 p.m.
American military commander on Texas border reports Mexican armed parties on Mexican side have fired on detachments United States troops every day since last Sunday. The most violent attacks have come from a point opposite Mercedes, Texas. One American soldier has been killed, one officer badly wounded, 3 soldiers wounded, and 2 horses killed as a result. Commander believed Mexican commander at Matamoros could easily stop those outrages if he so desired.
You are instructed to bring this situation to the attention of the appropriate authorities at Matamoros and urge them to take immediate action to prevent further firing across border, pointing out to them that this matter is so grave that it might easily lead to most serious consequences.