File No. 812.00/979.
The Mexican Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Washington, March 16, 1911.
Excellency: Certain rumors have come to the knowledge of the Government of Mexico concerning the scheme conceived by certain rebels to give orders to insurgent groups to dress so as to be mistaken for soldiers of the Federal Army and fire at the American soldiers on guard duty along the frontier.
[Page 426]Neither the mischievous ends of the scheme nor the baneful results it could evolve by inflaming the minds and stirring up a conflict which might be difficult of solution, however great the efforts made by both Governments, will escape your excellency.
Taking the foregoing into account I address your excellency and beseech you to issue orders in the sense that the officers of the American Army in command on the border be put on their guard and given to understand that the loyal soldiers of Mexico are incapable of any action offensive to the forces of a friendly Government and that even though their sentiments were not what they are, sentiments of profound gratitude toward the defenders of order in this country who are maintaining neutrality, their respect for discipline and the honor of the flag would be sufficient to insure their always observing a dignified and prudent attitude.
I take [etc.],