File No. 812.00/940.
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Chargé d’Affaires.
Washington, March 15, 1911.
Inquire of the foreign office whether there is any foundation for the painful report contained in the following telegram received from the representative of the United States district attorney at Douglas, Ariz.:
Mexican soldiers at Aguaprieta, near Douglas, yesterday, after skirmish with insurrectos, took as prisoners nine Mexicans, most of whom work this side line. They immediately stood them up and shot them without any trial whatever. The prisoners had no arms, but were merely onlookers. Reported 11 more were shot in like manner this morning. They have many more captives in jail Aguaprieta, and advisers of these are asking civil authorities to intercede. This we can not do. In name of humanity can not our country put a stop to this barbarous slaughter of innocent men? Two Americans watching fight were also fired upon by Mexican troops; not injured. Answer.