File No. 812.48/3219
The Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of State
Washington, June 23, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d instant, in which you have been good enough to inform this Department of the arrangements made for transporting refugees from the eastern coast of Mexico to United States ports. It is noted that arrangements have been made to furnish transportation for all such refugees who may be ready or willing to leave Mexico on or before the 24th instant, and that thereafter your Department is desirous that this Department should assume entire charge of removing all remaining refugees as occasion arises in order that the Senior Naval Officer present may dispose of the forces under his command to the best advantage.
It is further noted that a naval vessel of sufficient capacity to accommodate a thousand people should be at Tampico not later than Tuesday if possible and to remain there for emergencies until after the Army transport has taken off the refugees.
Unless unforeseen difficulty should arise, a naval vessel capable of giving refuge for a short time to a thousand persons should reach Tampico before the 27th instant.
When all refugees now ready to leave Mexico have been taken out, the Navy Department should have in Mexican waters sufficient craft to give refuge to the remaining Americans and it is satisfactory to this Department that the Senior Naval Officer present in Atlantic Mexican waters should assume charge of this work.
Very sincerely yours,