Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 7, 1915

File No. 812.00/16545.

The Secretary of State to Special Agent Belt.

[Telegram.]

Department of State,
Washington, October 23, 1915—7 p.m.

United States military authorities on Texas border complain against lack of vigorous efforts on the part of Mexican commander at Matamoros in preventing raids on American soil. They state that De la Rosa, who led attack on passenger train on 18th, was on streets of Reynosa on morning of 20th but that de facto authorities made no attempt to arrest him. Several Americans have been killed within the past few days as result of raids.

Immediately request Chief Executive to issue positive orders to commander at Matamoros to break up bands of bandits on Mexican side; also to arrest De la Rosa.

Lansing.