File No. 812.00/16545.
The Secretary of War to the
Secretary of State.
War Department,
Washington,
October 22, 1915.
My dear Mr. Secretary: I have just received
the enclosed telegram from General Funston and transmit it for your
consideration. If consistent with your views, I recommend that action on
the lines suggested by General Funston be taken by the Department of
State as early as practicable.
Sincerely yours,
[Page 816]
[Inclosure—Extract.]
[Untitled]
Fort Sam Houston,
October 21, 1915.
It becomes increasingly evident that we can expect no help from
Carranza commander in Matamoros in preventing these raids. De la
Rosa, who led attack on passenger train on 18th, was on streets of
Reynosa yesterday morning and Carranza officials made no attempt to
arrest him.
It is recommended that strong representations be made at once to
General Carranza and that he be requested to give orders to
commanding officer Matamoros district to break up bandit bands on
Mexican side. If prompt measures are not then taken with that end in
view, I recommend port of Brownsville be closed absolutely and that
no intercourse across the Rio Grande be allowed at any point in
Brownsville cavalry patrol district.
