812.00Sonora/169: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico ( Morrow )
73. Department’s 63, March 7, 7 p.m.,7 last paragraph. Having been informed that heavy field artillery and armored cars of the United States Army were being moved up to or near the international bridge of El Paso, I had an interview with the Secretary of War and Chief of Staff yesterday. The War Department has since sent a telegram to the Commanding General, Eighth Corps Area, in effect as follows:
“Should hostilities break out between Mexican forces near the border, you will make every effort to cause American citizens to withdraw from and remain out of the danger zone during the fighting. The falling of stray and accidental bullets on territory belonging to the United States will not be cause for our troops to return fire and it will not be done. United States troops will not fire upon Mexican troops except upon the following conditions: To return fire directed maliciously upon United States troops or persons on United States territory, or if necessary to drive armed Mexicans out of United States territory. You should endeavor to communicate with both sides before they come in contact and inform them that American life on the American side must not be endangered before any fire is delivered, in accordance with the above restrictions. When American life is being endangered you should notify both sides that unless such fire ceases you will take the necessary action for protection. You will make no deployment or display of troops in advance of actual necessity in accordance with the above limitations for their employment.”
The telegram of Major General Lassiter to the War Department, to which the above is in reply, is as follows:
“Very early this morning General Moseley reported that battle between Federal forces in Juarez and rebel forces advancing from the south appeared imminent. General Moseley anticipated that if battle took place in Juarez, life and property in El Paso would be endangered and he requested specific authority to take action necessary to fully safeguard American interests, moving troops into Mexican territory if necessary. The following telegram was sent to him:
‘With reference to your telegram you should endeavor to communicate with both sides before they come in contact and inform them that American life on the American side must not be endangered. When American life on the American side is being endangered by actual fall of projectiles it is incumbent upon you to take the necessary measures to safeguard American life. You should, however, notify both sides that American life is being endangered and that unless such fire ceases you will take the necessary action for protection. It may be possible by artillery fire to drive back the side producing the dangerous fire and thus avoid crossing the border, but in case of actual necessity and where all other means have failed the tactical movements essential to accomplish the mission will be paramount consideration regardless of the boundary line. It is most essential that you avoid taking sides between the two forces, or showing special regard for either.’”
- Not printed.↩