Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson Feb. 26 (telegram).

Same subject. Department has replied to inquiry
of Mexican Ambassador that press reports of or-
ders to United States troops to cross into Mexico
if shots are fired into the United States are with-
out foundation; troops massed at El Paso are
merely a deterrent to such firing. Instructs to
emphasize to Foreign Office the necessity of pre-
venting it.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox...do..... Same subject. Has sent the Foreign Office a friend-
(telegram).

Mr. Edwards to Mr. Knox ...do.... (telegram).

ly but firm note in regard to the Ciudad Juárez
situation.

Same subject. The rebel commander, Campa, has
sent him a notice to all foreigners in Ciudad Juárez
to seek a place of safety, as he is about to attack
tha city.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Edwards...do..... Same subject. Instructs to give to both Campa and
(telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson...do..... (telegram).

121

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Crespo...

.do..

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson ...do.... (telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox (telegram).

Feb. 27

Same to same (telegram)....

do....

the Federal commander informal and unofficial
warning against firing into the United States.
Same subject. Instructs to warn both the President
and the Foreign Office of the serious consequences
of firing into the United States at Ciudad Juárez,
and to renew suggestion to engage the enemy at a
safe distance from the town,

Political affairs. Regrets the passage of United
States troops across the frontier at El Paso on a
street car; appropriate apologies have been made
to Mexican consul at El Paso.
Same subject. Refers to Department's Feb. 20, 6
p. m., and Mr. Wilson's Feb. 21, 5 p. m. The
American citizens" mentioned include men as
well as women and children.
Same subject. A Mexican official warned the Em-
bassy that if United States troops cross the line at
Ciudad Juárez, Americans in Mexico City will be
generally massacred. Mr. Wilson has demanded
protection for Americans and other foreigners.
Same subject. Vásquez Gómez is apparently the
leader of the revolution; he should either be ex-
pelled from the United States or imprisoned.

Same to same (telegram).... ...do..... Same subject. Velardena situation bad; Americans

Same to same (telegram).......do.....

Mr. Edwards to Mr. Knox

...do....

(telegram). 1285 Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox.... Feb. 28

Same to same (telegram).......do.

ask protection; vigorous representations have been
made. General situation dangerous.

Firing across border. Instructions of Feb. 26 com-
plied with.

Same subject. Ciudad Juárez surrendered to Gen-
eral Campa.

Same subject. Transmits correspondence with
Mexican Government relating to Ciudad Juárez
situation.

Political affairs. The Foreign Office suggests that
Vásquez Gómez open letter to President Madero,
published widely Feb. 25, might justify the Gov-
ernment of the United States in proceeding against
him. Further, requests rigid prevention of ship-
ment of arms into Mexico via Ciudad Juárez.

Mr. Edwards to Mr. Knox...do..... Same subject. Cludad Juárez fn rebels' hands.
(telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Crespo... Feb. 29

Same to same

They have set up a local government and will col-
lect duty on imports. Rumors of Villa's defection.
Same subject. Vásquez Gómez is being watched,
but has not yet been observed in a breach of the
neutrality laws.

.do.... Same subject. If the Mexican Government close
Ciudad Juárez to international commerce, the
question would arise whether there is in fact a
state of belligerency.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox...do.... Same subject. Refers to Department's Feb. 20, 6
(telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson Mar. 1 (telegram).

Same to same (telegram).......do....

p. m.

Americans at Velardena reported safe. Same subject Advises him of the purport of the two nctes sent to the Mexican Ambassader on Feb. 29. Same subject. Instruction to urge the immediate sending of adequate relief to the Americans at Velardena.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox ...do.... Same subject. Urgent representations made to
(telegram).

Mexican Government concerning assaults on the
Suriana mine; G. P. Robinson and others have
requested aid.

Same to same (telegram)... ...do.... Same subject. Refers to Department's Mar. 1, 5
Velardena well.
p. m., and his own Feb. 29, 7 p. m.; Americans at
Same subject. Heavy emigration of Americans from
all parts of Mexico; the situation grows steadily

Same to same (telegram)... Mar. 2

worse.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson Mar. 2
(telegram).

Same to same (telegram).... ..do.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Crespo......do....

Mr. Letcher to Mr. Knox Mar. 3
(telegram).

Same subject. Instruction to inform Americans
that it is the Embassy's duty to advise them to
withdraw from specified localities where lawless-
ness so threatens their safety as to make with-
drawal prudent; consuls to care for abandoned
property where possible.

Same subject. Text of the President's proclama-
tion of Mar. 2, 1912, admonishing citizens of the
United States to observe the neutrality laws and
warning those that engage in acts subversive of the
peace of Mexico that they will not be protected by
the United States Government from the legal con-
sequences of such acts. The Ambassader is in-
structed that the proclamation is not a declaration
of neutrality nor a recognition of a state of bellig-
erancy in Mexico, but merely a warning to Ameri-
can citizens not to participate in disturbances in
Mexico. The Ambassador will so state to the
Mexican Government. Text of statement to the
press is quoted to the Ambassador, to be laid
before the Mexican Government.

Same subject. Incl ses a copy of the President's
proclamation of Mar. 2.

Same subject. The President's proclamation is
construed to mean that Americans are warned to
leave Mexico, with intention to intervene.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson......do.... Same subject. The Department fears the Mexcan
(telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox
(telegram).

Mar. 4

press may be misinterpreting the President's
proclamation; instructs to deny intention of the
United States to intervene.

Same subject. Quotes his statement to the Mexican
press in pursuance of Department's instruction
of Mar. 3; believes the President's proclamation is
now understood.

Same to same (telegram).. ..do.... Same subject. The Mexican Government has de

731

732

733

734

734

735

735

clared in the press its correct appreciation of the
President's proclamation. The Ambassador con-
tinues to allay misgivings of Americans and Mexi-

735

cans.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Letcher...do.... Same subject. Instructs to make emphatic public
(telegram).
denial of intention of the United States to inter-

vene.

Mr. Stimson to Mr. Knox ...do.... Same subject. Military news from Chihuahua;
(telegram).

Orozco and Salazar join the rebels; Villa attacks
Orozco.

Same subject. A foreign port in the hands of insur-
gents is regarded as if it were still in the hands of
the parent government and consequently open to
the interc urse and commerce of other nations, ex-
cept where passage through such port is prevented
by the parent government. Therefore the United
States Government considers itself without legal
basis for prohibiting the routing of mail through
Ciudad Juárez when that is the only port through
which mails can be dispatched to that section.
Moreover, postmaster of a foreign country can not
properly act within the United States; still less a
foreign consul, as requested by the Mexican Gov-
ernment: accordingly mail can not properly be
delivered to a Mexican consul, except official mail
for officials of the parent government.
Same subject. Describes difficulties of warning
Americans to leave isolated points.
Same subject. The Mexican Government, alarmed
by the enormous importation of arms through
Ciudad Juárez, calls the Ambassador's attention
to the practical recognition of the Madero Govern-
ment by the Diaz Government, but declares that
the present Government has no intention of treat-
ing with the rebels in arms; if the present Govern-
ment should fall, the United States could hardly
refuse to intervene. Requests, therefore, that the
Government of the United States seek a way to
stop the importation of arms and ammunition.
Same subject. Since the rebels are not belligerents,
the Mexican Government asks only that the intro-
duction of arms and ammunition through Ciudad
Juárez be prevented, as such introduction would
violate the neutrality laws of the United States.
Same subject. Refers to his Mar. 5. The Depart-
ment must depend on the consulate's discrétion
regarding warning Americans to leave particular
localities.

736

736

737

737

737

738

750

33

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson (telegram).

1912. Mar. 6

Same subject. All Latin-American missions have
been instructed to promote friendly appreciation
of the patient attitude of the United States toward
Mexico; to explain the reasons for sending troops
to the border to prevent firmg into American ter-
ritory; to make known the purport of the Presi-
dent's proclamation of Mar. 2; and to emphasize
the determination of the United States not to
intervene.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox...do.... Same subject. Mexico City authorities have called
(telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson......do....
Mr. Ching Yin Tang to Mr. ...do....
Knox.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox
(telegram).

Mar. 7

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Edwards...do..... (telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox Mar. 8 (telegram).

on all foreign and native friends of order to arm
themselves to aid the Government in maintaining
order. Mr. Wilson states the measures he pur-
poses taking. His European colleagues disapprove
the permission to ship arms and ammunition across
the frontier to revolutionists.
American claims. Acknowledges his 1266 and in-
structs to press the claims for prompt settlement.
Protection of Chinese subjects. Requests permis-
sion for Chinese subjects in Mexico, threatened
with violence, to seek refuge in the United States.
Political affairs. Committees from the foreign colo-
nies in Mexico City will be armed by the local au-
thorities. Americans have been counseled by the
Ambassador to tender their services to the Gov-
ernment, but to refrain from participating in Mexi-
can affairs.

Same subject. The Department can not authorize
a consul to accept the care of bullion or money.
Same subject. Representatives of the great powers
request the Ambassador to ask the Mexican Gov-
ernment for definite guaranties of safety for for-
eigners in Mexico City.

Mr. Wilson to Mr Crespo......do..... Same subject. Refers to his Mar. 5. There being no

recognized state of belligerency in Mexico, the
rules of warfare are not involved, the status is one
of peace, and there exists no interdiction of com-
merce outside the jurisdiction of Mexico, whose
Government must itself enforce all laws touching
commerce. But even if a recognized belligerency
existed it would not cause a prohibition of com-
mercial traffic in arms and ammunition, as is
shown by the Hague convention, Articles 4, 6, and
7. However, the neutrality laws of the United
States do make illegal certain specified acts, even
where no belligerency exists, when directed against
a friendly government; but those laws do not
place the offenders, though penally liable in this
country, under extraterritorial obligation; nor is
this Government so placed. Thus neither the so-
called neutrality statutes nor the general laws of
neutrality prohibit mere commercial exportation
of arms and ammunition; hence the Executive is
legally powerless to prevent that traffic as long as
it remains purely commercial and is unconnected
with any act prohibited by the statutes. There-
fore the sale of supplies in El Paso to Mexicans,
whether insurrectos or supporters of the Govern-
ment, and their delivery across the border, is not
in violation of the statutes.

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson...do..... American claims. Congressional action likely as to
'telegram).

ame to same (telegram).... Mar. 9

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox ...do..... (telegram).

Same to same (telegram).... Mar. 10

Same to same (telegram).... Mar. 11

Douglas and El Paso cases owing to inaction of
consuls; instructs him to urge action.
Political affairs. Refers to his Mar. 6, 10 p. m., and
March 7, 10 p. m., and inquires why the Mexican
Government is unable to control mobs. Approves
Ambassador's course. Instructs to repeat cau-
tion to Americans to keep aloof from partisan af-
fairs.
American claims. Foreign Office declares it is mak-
ing progress with the border cases.
Political affairs. The instructions of Department's
Mar. 9, 7 p. m., have been executed.
Same subject. The German Minister has been in-
structed to pursue a course analogous to that of
the United States.

738

739

956

926

739

739

740

740

957

742

957

743

743

Same subject. That the neutrality laws of the
United States fail to cover many important points,
does not afford sufficient ground for failure of the
Government and people of the United States to
take any measure calculated to prevent acts that
come within the field of international duty. [Sec-
retary of State Hamilton Fish quoted.] The Mex-
ican Government therefore hopes this Govern-
ment will take steps to prevent the continuance
of exportation of arms and ammunition into Mex-
ico.
American claims. Instructs to hasten the border
cases as much as possible.
Discrimination against American railway em-
ployees. Reports interview with the President of
Mexico regarding a strike threatened by American
railway employees.

Political affairs. Suggests sending a war vessel to
Mazatlan.

Same subject. A joint resolution to amend the
joint resolution to prohibit the export of coal or
other material used in war from any seaport of the
United States to any American country the scene
of domestic violence, except such as may be ex-
cepted by the President, and until otherwise or-
dered by the President.

Same subject. Proclamation of the purport of the
foregoing joint resolution.

Same subject. Acknowledges the Ambassador's
No. 1247 of Feb. 2, regarding protection of Amer-
ican citizens, and calling attention to Secretary
Blaine's statement of the law in 1891, with quota-
tion thereof.

743

957

916

744

745

745

746

134

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox (telegram).

Mar. 15

Same subject. Requests 500 rifles and ammunition
for the American colony.

747

Same subject. Instructions relating to the presen-
tation to the Mexican Government of the Presi-
dent's proclamation of Mar. 14.

747

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson Mar. 16 (telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Crespo......do..... Same subject. Refers to his No. 1143 of Mar. 11 and

to his own note of Mar. 8; the proclamation of the
President, of Mar. 14, has modified the then exist-
ing statutes so as to inhibit under specific condi-
tions the exportation of materials of war until
otherwise ordered by the Fresident or by Con-
gress; this action was taken in the desire to pro-
mote the return of peace to Mexico and should be
construed as an act of friendship.

Mr. Wilson to President Taft...do..... Same subject. The exceptions under the proclama

tion come under three heads: (1) it would be un-
wise at present to except shipments of arms and
ammunition to the Madero Government (reasons
given); (2) it would be unwise to except large ship-
ments to private enterprises (reasons given); (3)
but, in spite of the attending dangers, it appears
urgent to except shipments consigned to the Am-
bassador or nearest Consul for the use of American
citizens. These shipments might well be con-
ducted as ordered for Santo Domingo in 1906 in
pursuance of the joint resolution of Apr. 22, 1898.
Same subject. Refers to his Mar. 15, 5 p. m., and
Department's Mar. 16, 7 p. m., and quotes the
form of a presidential order in pursuance of joint
resolution of Apr. 22, 1898. The Department is
investigating the ways and means for shipping
arms and ammunition for the use of American
citizens.

Same subject. Dangerous conditions prevail.
Protection of Chinese subjects. Reports having
acted on previous instructions in a similar case to
protect Chinese threatened with violence.
American claims. An American citizen has asked
him to define his proper course in case of mob at-
tacks, with a view to establishing claims for dam-
ages.

Political affairs. Americans in Acapulco desire ad-
vice about leaving. Unfriendly Mexican attitude
due to fear of intervention. Instructions re-
quested.

Same subject. Believes wide publicity in Tabasco
of the President's proclamation of Mar. 2 would
create an excellent impression.

747

748

750

75

926

958

751

751

769

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Crespo... Mar. 18

Mr.Wilson to Mr. Lespinasse Mar. 19 (telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson......do...

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Ching Yin...do....
Tang.

235

(telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Beaupré

Mar. 20

1320 Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox.......do...

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson ...do... (telegram).

Same to same (telegram).... Mar. 21

Same subject. Vásquez Gómez has been under ob-
servation but has not been found violating the
neutrality statutes of the United States. The
writing of letters in this country and forwarding
them by the United States mails into Mexico, in-
citing an uprising against the Government of Mex-
ico, is not a violation of the neutrality laws.
Same subject. Refers to his Mar. 18, and gives per-
mission to circulate the Fresident's proclamation
of Mar. 2 without alteration of its language.
Same subject. Refers to his Mar. 6, 10 p. m., which
states that his European colleagues disapprove this
Government's permission of shipment of arms
across frontier to revolutionists. Their Govern-
ments would probably in a like situation take a
like position. International law did not and does
not require prohibition of such shipments, nor did
the neutrality laws of the United States prior to
Mar. 14.

Protection of Chinese subjects. The request of the
Minister dated Mar. 6 is being complied with.
Political affairs. Instructs to amend Department's
Mar. 6, 7 p. m.

Same subject. General review of political, military,
and economic situation. The President's procla
mations of Mar. 2 and Mar. 14 have had an excel-
lent effect in official circles but not elsewhere.
American claims. Refers to his Mar. 18; the De-
partment can not lay down any other rules regard-
ing the matter therein mentioned than those of
international law (Moore's Digest, vi, 809).
Political affairs. Refers to Department's Mar. 17,
10 p. m., and gives details concerning shipments
of arms.

1170 Mr. Crespo to Mr. Knox........do.... Same subject. Requests that the President permit

771

Same to same (telegram).......do.... Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox ...do.... (telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Wilson......do..

772

Same to same..

certain shipments of arms and ammunition for
General Sanjinés at Ojinaga, forwarded by the
Mexican consul at El Paso, and detained at Marfa,
Tex., by the United States authorities.
Same subject. Again requests permission to ship
arms to General Sanjines at Ojinaga.
Same subject. The Foreign Office makes the same
request as Mr. Crespo's of even date.
American claims. Incloses a circular to consular
officers relating to collecting information as to
American property in Mexico for use in future
claims for damages.

.do.... Discrimination against Americanrailroad employees.
Acknowledges his No. 1326 and instructs him to
continue to report fully on the situation.
Political affairs. States quantity of arms needed by
the American colony. Requests instruction as to
method of entering the shipment at the frontier.
Mr. Letcher to Mr. Knox...do.... Same subject. The prohibition of entry of foodstuffs
(telegram).

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox Mar. 22 (telegram).

will cause much bitterness toward Americans.
Mines will have to shut down within two weeks.
Considers it best to shut down at once and have
Americans withdraw. This, together with strict
enforcement of the President's proclamation, will
effectively stifle the revolution."

Mr. Wilson to Mr. Knox...do.... Same subject. Refers to Department's Mar. 21, 11
(telegrams).

a. m., and his own Mar. 22, 11 a. m., Requests
increase of arms shipment.

Same subject. Mining companies report that pro-
hibition of entry of dynamite will cause shutting
down all mines and some 20,000 discharged em-
ployees will immediately join the forces of dis-
order. Obregón elected President.
Taxation of foreigners by provisional revolutionary
Government. Requests instructions in view of
demand by such government of taxes due to Fed-
eral Government.
American claims. Department's citations from
Moore's Digest seem to deny a government's re-
sponsibility for mob violence unless lack of due
diligence can be shown; the Ambassador considers
Department's Feb. 12, 5 p. m., to hold Mexican
Government liable without regard to the degree
of diligence.

Same subject. Requests instructions in regard to
claims for damages due to current disturbances.