bassy's note No. 625 of the 10th instant, calling attention to the alleged preparation within the United States of an armed movement by the partisans of Gen. Bernardo Reyes to initiate disturbances in Mexico, and requesting the Department to "issue suitable orders to prevent the disturbances above referred to." The Department has been glad to copy the Mexican note to the Attorney General for his information and in order that he may take such action as he may deem necessary for the purpose of preventing any violation of our neutrality statutes. The Department respectfully calls to the attention of the Mexican Embassy the various statements regarding this subject which it has heretofore made in the recent correspondence regarding the attitude of the United States in the matter of the unfortunate civil disturbances which lately existed in Mexico, and particularly to observe that it will not be possible for this Government to take any action in the premises unless there be proof going to show that the statutes of the United States have been violated, but that it will endeavor by all proper means to secure the observance of its statutes. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 17, 1911. File No. 812.00/2506. The American Consul at Nuevo Laredo to the Secretary of State. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] NUEVO LAREDO, November 18, 1911. Gen. Bernardo Reyes and other revolutionists and the sheriff of Webb County, Tex., were arrested to-day for violation of the neutrality laws. Every vestige of the revolution will be swept away in 10 days if this method is followed and if revolutionary property is con fiscated. GARRETT. File No. 812.00/2507. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] NUEVO LAREDO, November 19, 1911. Forty-five rifles and 20,000 cartridges captured to-day by commander of Fort McIntosh, also a lieutenant in the revolutionary army, who states he is commissioned by Gen. Reyes personally. File No. 812.00/2539. GARRETT. The American Consul at Ciudad Porfirio Diaz to the Secretary of No. 387.] State. AMERICAN CONSULAR SERVICE, Ciudad Porfirio Diaz, November 19, 1911. SIR: I have the honor to advise that on the 18th instant Fred H. Lancaster, special agent of the Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice, sent the following telegram from Laredo, Tex.: H. A. Thompson [Mr. Thompson is special agent in charge of the agents of the bureau], San Antonio, Tex.: Gen. Reyes indicted by the Federal grand jury under section 13, chapter 2, and section 37, chapter 4, Criminal Code. Certified copy of indictment and copy of capias follows by to-day's mail. See Cresson [assistant United States district attorney] at once and arrest Gen, Reyes. I have [etc.], LANCASTER. LUTHER T. ELLSWORTH, File No. 812.00/2578. The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] MEXICAN EMBASSY, Washington, December 3, 1911. Complying with instructions by wire just received from my Government, I beg your excellency to be pleased to interpose good offices to prevent conveyance 5,000 rifles and several thousand cartridges bought in Philadelphia by Reyista Mexican, which are to be delivered express Houston and consigned to Maj. Campos, also Reyista, residing Houston, as telegraphed to Treasury Department by collector customs, Galveston. Matter was brought to the knowledge of clerk Federal court, Houston. CRESPO. [This telegram was telegraphed on Dec. 3 to the Attorney General.] File No. 812.00/1458. The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador. No. 672.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 11, 1911. SIR: With reference to your dispatch No. 479 of April 19, 1911, with which you transmitted a note bearing date of April 17, 1911, from the minister for foreign affairs of Mexico, wherein he makes certain allegations and comments concerning the battle of Agua Prieta of April 13, the Department has prepared a memorandum in refutation, which is inclosed herewith. This memorandum is based upon the investigations instituted by the military authorities of the United States at Douglas in May last. All the documents referred to are on file, but it is hoped that as the record in the case is quite large it may not be necessary to have any copies made. You are instructed when handing the original memorandum to the Mexican minister for foreign affairs to state to him that it is presented in the interest of truth and in order that there may be no misapprehension on the part of his Government of what really occurred at Agua Prieta on April 13 and 17, 1911, nor as to this Government's opinion regarding those incidents. Should the minister for foreign affairs express surprise at the delay in replying to Mr. de la Barra's note of April 17, you may say that the information contained in the memorandum has been in the Department's possession since last spring, but that inasmuch as it 1 Not printed. Consists of lengthy testimony, all tending to refute the Mexican allegations. was desired to submit the memorandum solely in the interest of truth and without any intention of causing embarrassment to the Government of Mexico, the Department has awaited what it considered was a more opportune moment for presenting the evidence. If you find it convenient or desirable you may also state that the battles of Agua Prieta do not constitute the only instances of violation of American territory by Mexicans during the recent revolution. as the Department has received reports of other occurrences of a similar though less serious nature. You will have in mind in presenting this matter that while it is the Department's disposition to refrain from reviving a discussion the elements of which doubtless arose from misinformation as to the happenings incident to the abnormal and turbulent conditions existing at the time, this Government feels constrained to request the Government of Mexico to take due note of its absolute dissent from the allegations made and the views expressed by the then minister for foreign affairs. I am, etc., File No. 812.00/2615. No. 87.] P. C. KNOXx. The Secretary of State to the Mexican Ambassador. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 16, 1911. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 14th instant, which has been translated as follows: Ambassador of Mexico has just received instructions to ask your excellency be pleased to interpose good offices to the end of obtaining that Mr. Jose Barthelow, agent American authorities at Laredo, proceed with all the activity case requires to execute orders; that he has apprehension Mexican insurgents. In reply, I beg to inform you that I have communicated your request to the Department of Justice for its information and appropriate action. Accept, etc., File No. 812.00/2619. No. 89.] P. C. KNOX. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 20, 1911. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 15th instant, which has been translated as follows: The Mexican ambassador greets sincerely the honorable Mr. Huntington Wilson, and notifies him that, fulfilling instructions from the department of foreign relations, he informs him that it is known that at Cajones, San Diego County, Cal., there exists a revolutionary junta, preparing an invasion of Lower California, and that Basilio Ramos is concealing arms. In asking him to be pleased to interpose the good offices of that honorable department, in order to avert said attempt at invasion, he reiterates the assurances of his most distinguished consideration. In reply, I beg to state that I have taken pleasure in communicating the contents of your telegram to the Department of Justice for its information and appropriate action. Accept, etc., P. C. KNOX. File No. 812,00/2680. The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State. No. 1176.] [Extract.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Mexico, December 30, 1911. SIR: I have the honor to report that Gen. Bernardo Reyes, who voluntarily surrendered to a small detachment of Federal rurales at Ciudad Linares early on Christmas morning, was brought to this city on the 28th instant by a small detachment of soldiers and was immediately taken to the Santiago prison, where he will be confined until arrangements are made for his trial. I have [etc.], File No. 812.00/2665. HENRY LANE WILSON. The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State. No. 799.] [Memorandum-Translation.] The Embassy of Mexico presents its compliments to the Department of State and asks that it be pleased to interpose its good offices to cause the local and Federal authorities of Arizona to tighten the vigilance they have been instructed to maintain for the observance of the neutrality laws of this country. From reports recently received by the Government of Mexico it is known that along the border line both in Arizona and California there abound men who are adherents of or sympathizers in the doctrines propagated by the Flores Magón brothers and who constitute a disturbing element ever ready to cover up or support every movement against the Mexican Government. EMBASSY OF MEXICO, Washington, December 30, 1911. OVERFLOW OF THE COLORADO RIVER INTO THE IMPERIAL VALLEY OR THE SALTON SINK REGION, CALIFORNIA, AND RESTORATION OF THE BROKEN LEVEES. PROPOSAL OF MILITARY COOPERATION FOR PROTECTION OF LEVEE WORKS. WAIVER OF CUSTOMS DUTIES. File No. 3172/11. The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State. No. 359.] [Extract.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Mexico, December 14, 1906. SIR: I acknowledge the receipt of the Department's cablegram of the 11th instant, as follows: THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, D. C., December 11, 1906. AMERICAN EMBASSY, Mexico, D. F. Following telegram received: Eight hundred feet of the levees built by the California Development Co. in connection with dam with which Colorado River overflow was recently stopped have given away, and the soil on which levees were raised is so porous that it looks as if they will be ulti mately destroyed. All of this work is in Mexico, but, as you know, for the benefit or development of Imperial Valley north of International Boundary. Southern Pacific has already advanced about $1,000,000 for this protection, and if Imperial Valley is to be saved it requires immediate stoppage of the crevasse with another dam and construction of some 20 miles of protection .evee, involving expenditure of approximately $3,000,000. Matter is urgent and suggest whether our Government can not be induced to take this matter up immediately with Mexican Government for purpose of taking over entire work, which is now beyond capacity of individuals or corporations to handle. If flow continues unchecked it will eventually imperil town of Yuma and the Government dam at Laguna. Reclamation Service fully alive to danger. Wilcott can give you details. Will you not kindly take matter up vigorously along lines indicated. You will urge upon Mexican Government necessity of immediate and effective action. You are directed to ascertain discreetly, without assuming liability and without committing this Government, whether Mexico is willing to allow the United States to enter upon the Mexican territory covered by concession to La Sociedad de Riegos y Terrenos de la Baja California (Sociedad Anónima). The question of liability may be discussed and considered later. and confirm my reply as follows: ROOT. MEXICO, D. F., December 14, 1906. Referring to your telegram of the 11th instant: The Mexican President says La Compañía de Riegos y Terrenos de la Baja California has failed to meet its concession requirements and if that company on notice, which he says will be given at once, can not demonstrate its ability to control the Colorado waters, formal declaration of annulment of concession will without delay be served which can become effective in 15 days. He much deplores the situation and is very willing the United States Government should take up the work on Mexican territory, doing, under a permit from the Mexican Government, whatever is necessary to control the Colorado waters. Mexico would enter into a convention with the United States Government permitting waters needed to be taken from the Colorado across Mexican territory into American. The President is very decided in his opinion that no liability attaches to Mexico for any damages that have occurred, or may occur, and feels that Mexico can not stand any part of the expenses for controlling the river, but will do anything the United States Government may desire beyond this. In the event of annulment of concession, and the United States Government does not take up the work of control of the river, it is doubtful as to what action the Mexican Government would take. D. E. THOMPSON. I spent more than two hours yesterday with President Diaz, talking over the subject matter of the foregoing telegrams. During the last hour of the time Foreign Minister Mariscal and Minister of Fomento Aldasoro were with us. The President, as well as the two ministers, expressed the thought that the company to whom the concession for taking waters from the Colorado River in Mexico was given (La Compañía de Riegos y Terrenos de la Baja California), has acted in bad faith from the beginning, and it developed during the conversation that the Mexican Government is to at once make this company demonstrate its ability to do what it has undertaken to do in Mexico or cancel its concession. The outcome of the conversation was that President Diaz said the Mexican Government would permit the United States to do anything the American Government might desire in the control of the Colorado waters in Mexico at or near the place of the present disturbance, and that the Mexican Government, should the American Government so desire, will enter into an agreement permitting the waters taken from the Colorado River in Mexico to be conducted through Mexico to the United States for such use as the American Government might desire to make of them; and the Mexican Government will permit any sort of an equipment to be brought into Mexico for the purpose of conducting the work in the event that it should be undertaken. |