812.00Sonora/352

The Vice Consul at Vera Cruz (Myers) to the Secretary of State

No. 1035

Sir: I have the honor to report that since the morning of the sixth, when a part of the rebel forces of General Jesús M. Aguirre mutinied, this Consulate, assisted by the Spanish, Cuban, French and Belgian consulates, took a very active part in restoring Veracruz to a normal condition.

On Wednesday afternoon, at three o’clock, General Aguirre telephoned to me at my home, and requested me to go to his headquarters at the Terminal Hotel in order to advise him on several matters. I immediately left for his headquarters, being delayed considerably on the way on account of the danger from flying bullets. On my arrival, the General requested me to advise him on what he should do. I replied that since the trouble was between two warring Mexican factions, I did not feel that I should give him my advice. However, I told him that if he intended to attack the Third Battalion, which had taken up strategic positions in the Aquiles Serdán hospital, the Naval Academy and house tops of private homes in a district where many foreigners lived, I would have to insist that sufficient time be given to remove the foreigners in that section. General Aguirre stated that he did not wish to cause the loss of lives; and I suggested that he also consult with the Spanish, Cuban and French Consuls. He said that he would consider doing so and would advise me at the Consulate—which, however, he did not do. About four in the afternoon the French Consul telephoned to me at my home and asked me if the Consular Corps could do anything to prevent the loss of lives and to protect the foreigners. I told him that I was awaiting word from General Aguirre, and that if the French Consul would arrange for the other Consuls to meet at the American Consulate, we would all go to the General’s headquarters and endeavor to effect some satisfactory arrangement. The Consular Corps received General Aguirre’s assurance that he would not attack the Federal troops that night provided that Lieutenant Colonel Cervantes, the commander of the Federal forces, would remain in his position.

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General Aguirre also tentatively promised that he would leave the city on the steamship Morazan, if it could be arranged with the steamship agent for the boat’s sailing. He stated that if he left on the Morazan he would send all his forces out of the city. However, the Consular Corps was unable to make the arrangements with the steamship company’s agent, for the reason that it was impossible to get into the lines of the Federal troops. The interview with Lieutenant Colonel Cervantez was made after nightfall.

General Aguirre left during Wednesday night. In the early morning of Thursday the Consular Corps obtained from the Federal commander guarantees for the protection of all the civilian population of the city. The commander also promised to send out patrols and order the closing of the saloons. Arrangements were also made to open the Federal, State and Municipal offices, and for the former Federal employees to return to their posts. There is enclosed herewith a copy of the Consular Corps’ petition to the Colonel.9 I regret that a translation cannot be made at this time on account of the vast amount of accumulated work and small staff of this office.

The people and the press of Veracruz are very grateful for the intervention of the Consuls which directly led to the saving of lives and property, and many Mexicans have personally expressed to me their thanks for the good results obtained by the Consuls.

I have [etc.]

Willys A. Myers
  1. Not printed.