File No. 812.00/929.
The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington, March 9, 1911.
Excellency: I have received your note of this date, in which your excellency was pleased to inclose a copy of a report from Deputy Marshal E. P. Warren concerning a battle between Mexican troops and insurgents at Mulato, on the 7th and 8th instant, during which, according to the informant, our soldiers deliberately fired on the American forces which were patrolling this side of the river in order to prevent any violation of the neutrality laws and wounded a boy and a pack horse.
Your excellency says that the facts being as stated would constitute a most grave violation not only of the principles of international law and of the sovereignty of the country but also of the traditional friendship which exists between the Governments of the United States and Mexico, and that the Government of the United States must assume that the soldiers in question acted not only without authority but in disobedience of what doubtless were their positive orders, nowithstanding which it can not overlook the incident and must expect that the Government of Mexico will disavow the action referred to and take all steps necessary to the end that no other acts of this sort shall occur, as they would inevitably lead to collisions between the forces of the two countries, which would be extremely deplorable.
In reply I have the honor to inform your excellency that I am hastening to communicate by telegraph Mr. Warren’s reports and your excellency’s remarks and that, immediately upon receiving the answer of the department of foreign relations, I shall transmit it to your department.
I am confident that my Government, animated by the best sentiments of friendship toward the Government of the United States, will order a careful investigation of the facts in order to meet the demands of the strictest justice.
I avail [etc.],