812.00/26788: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Vera Cruz (Wood)
Your January 17, 7 P.M. You will lose no time in informally advising whoever may be responsible for the decision to mine the ports of Frontera, Puerto Mexico and Vera Cruz that your Government not only on its own behalf but on behalf of humanity most vigorously protests against this proposed measure as being an unwarranted threat against the commerce of the world involving grave danger to the lives of peaceful citizens of all nationalities and in wanton disregard of any serious sense of responsibility.
You will administer to him the solemn warning of your Government that, if the proposed measure is carried out or, in the event that it has already been partially or wholly carried out, if the mines and other such obstructions to navigation are not immediately removed from the ports in reference, your Government will be constrained to adopt appropriate measures to protect its commerce and its nationals from the grave and imminent danger involved.