File No. 711.1216M/221.
The Mexican Embassy to the Department of State.
Washington, February 14, 1911.
This embassy received day before yesterday the note verbale of the Department of State, dated the 12th instant, in which it is stated that for the protection of the defensive works of Imperial Valley now going on in Mexican territory the Government of the United States would lend its military cooperation to that of Mexico in safeguarding their common interests in an undertaking which both countries wish to keep free from the insurgents’ attacks.
As the chargé d’affaires had the honor to say to the Assistant Secretary at his interview to-day, the Government of Mexico has instructed the embassy to advise the Department that Col. Don Celso Vega has been given orders to station his command at the place where the Colorado River works are in progress and has further been authorized to increase his force to the number necessary to insure complete safety.
[Page 557]The Mexican Government highly appreciates the United States Government’s friendly offer to have its forces cooperate in the protection of the works, but does not deem it necessary to have recourse to that benevolent disposition, and furthermore the Senate alone could, under the constitution of Mexico, authorize the passage of American forces into the territory of the Republic.
The Government of Mexico believes that if the frontier facing Mexicali is guarded by American troops, if the prohibition to send arms into Mexican territory for the rebels is enforced by the legal method, and if the practical result of preventing the supply of provisions to the highwayman who under political pretenses keeps the region in a state of unrest can be achieved, it will be easy to maintain order and duly protect the employees and laborers of the Colorado River works.
The Mexican Government also believes it important to recommend to the governor of California that he be pleased to give instructions for the authorities of that State to cooperate in an efficacious manner and prevent any violation of the neutrality laws.