File No. 312.62/94.
The Secretary of State to Vice Consul Silliman.
Washington, August 4, 1914, 7 p.m.
Department has been informed that Constitutionalists at Tampico are forcibly detaining steamship Antonina of Hamburg-American Line in transit to Europe and insist on searching steamer for two political refugees who embarked at Puerto Mexico, Doctor Villanueva and Senor Pazas, and that these men will probably be forcibly removed from vessel and possibly executed. Under present conditions the effect of removal of political refugees from neutral steamer by Constitutionalists will be very bad, and produce unfortunate complications.
Lay this matter before General Carranza and advise him to issue the necessary orders for the release of the Antonina without removal of Villanueva and Pazas and to exercise clemency in the case of these men in order to relieve his administration from the grave consequences which might result from acts of violence, such as the taking from a foreign ship of retired military or political enemies and permitting their execution.
The inexpediency and folly of General Carranza’s permitting summary executions or acts of revenge that might vitally affect the question of recognition is apparent.