File No. 812.00/6310
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War.1
Washington, February 23, 1913.
Your telegram of the 23d. Developments in Mexico since the 9th of February have so altered the situation in that country that it is radically different from what it was in October last, when, under date of October 2, this Department addressed to you a communication2 regarding the desirability of arresting and detaining, so far as warranted by law, all Mexican insurrectionists who might find their way onto United States territory.
This Department is persuaded to think, by the latest official reports from Mexico City and particularly by the character of the selections for the Cabinet of those now in control and establishing a de facto government, that those in control seriously desire to harmonize all conflicting elements in Mexico, and the Department is disposed to see in the selection of David de la Fuente for Minister of Communications3 an effort to secure the allegiance and support of followers of Orozco and insurrectionists in northern Mexico generally.
The overthrow of the Madero administration and the establishment of the present de facto authority casts a certain measure of Federal character over former insurrectionists, and especially so if they show a disposition to adhere to the new de facto régime, and it appeals forcibly to this Department that the wisest policy at the present juncture is not in any way to frustrate the efforts of the de facto authorities in this regard (as might be the effect if obstacles should prevent De la Fuente from going at once to Mexico City) and I [Page 734] accordingly beg to express the opinion that it would be unwise to refuse the request of De la Fuente and his associates, and to suggest that the enforcement of the President’s order—directing that Mexican insurrectionists who find their way onto United States territory be arrested and detained—be stayed for the moment and that De la Fuente and those who accompany him be allowed to pass without hindrance from the camp of Salazar, near Palomas, to Columbus, New Mexico, and thence to El Paso and Juárez by rail. It is further suggested that they be required—if and when the permission is given—to remain no longer on United States territory than is reasonably necessary to make the journey from Columbus to Juárez.
- Quoted to the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor.↩
- For. Rel. 1912, p. 848.↩
- Telegram from the Embassy dated February 19, 10 p.m.↩