412.11 C 8315/–: Telegram
The Chargé in Mexico (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 11—12:54 a.m.]
310. My 307, August 10, 1 p.m. Secretary of Embassy saw De Courcy this afternoon through repeated intervention of Foreign Office, police headquarters having previously insisted to Consul Lewis and to the Embassy that De Courcy was not there. Secretary Lane was able to see De Courcy only after much insistence, despite Foreign Office cooperation.
De Courcy stated he was apprehended about 9 o’clock last night by agent of Department of Gobernación and taken immediately to police headquarters where he was detained incommunicado without food or sleeping accommodations. Embassy was also to provide food this afternoon, despite advice of Foreign Office to the contrary. He stated he expected to be expelled tonight and his wife says that she has been similarly informed, though Foreign Office has vouchsafed no information.
Embassy has made oral protest to Foreign Office against arbitrary treatment suffered by this American citizen and pointed out that no information is available as to charges on which he is held contrary to informal understanding between Embassy and Foreign Office reached three years ago77 and since frequently invoked without success.
In view of Embassy’s despatch No. 3536 January 12 and No. 3858 March 25 last78 I respectfully request instructions to deliver formal note protesting against holding of De Courcy without charges and incommunicado.