File No. 312.67/23.
Special Agent Silliman to the Secretary of State.
A prominent member of the Ottoman colony requested my good offices this afternoon in behalf of six of his fellow countrymen who had been arrested by the military authorities on reaching the Constitutionalist lines, and it was reported that they had been executed. He also showed me cables and other correspondence relative to American representation for Ottomans. The Brazilian Minister informed me that he was prevented from any action whatever on account of the relations of Brazil with Turkey. He considered it proper for me to make unofficial inquiry at military headquarters. I saw General Obregon personally. He stated that six Syrians had been arrested for coming through the lines. Four were placed at liberty, two executed as spies, along with two Mexicans. As foreigners, they should have had formal trial but this had been overlooked.
Since beginning this cable I have been reliably informed that positively four Syrians were executed; that they were coming here as merchants to pay debts; that they had in their possession some 20,000 pesos which is up to this time retained by the military authorities; that they were inoffensive and innocent; that they were executed without any notice, without any one plea or chance, trial or representation. Am informed that the officer in charge of the execution had a German name.
I am requested to ask that the Department inform the Syrians in the north to avoid this city for the present.