March 6, a communication from Bryan to Carranza contained an open threat to land marines. "That ought to make Carranza sit up and take notice," the British Ambassador gleefully remarked.
March 8, five more warships were rushed to Mexican waters, and the entire Atlantic fleet prepared to weigh anchor at an hour's notice.
March 9, the climax came in the note charging the Constitutionalist leaders with "wilfully" bringing about "a deplorable situation" in the Mexican capital; threatening to hold General Obregon and General Carranza personally responsible for any injury to any American there; threatening to take "such measures as are expedient to bring to account those who are personally responsible for what may occur."
Of course, Carranza and Obregon could not absolutely guarantee that no American would suffer in the Mexican capital—any more than the President could guarantee that a mob would not burn a Mexican at the stake in Texas, or that a footpad would not shoot down an Englishman in an alley of Washington. At a dozen other places besides Mexico City and Vera Cruz, American special agents and naval commanders were harassing the Constitutionalists. Under the circumstances, American newspapers very naturally interpreted the note of March 9 as preliminary to acts of war against the party of Carranza.
No further action was taken, however; for at this juncture Obregon evacuated the capital. As Obregon at once marched north into Villa territory, the conclusion is justifiable that the evacuation was undertaken to avoid war with the United States.
Immediately a Villa Government, headed by Garza, was again set up in Mexico City. The Brazilian Minister informed us that conditions were improved, and the famine relieved, although the Garza army brought no food whatever into the city with it.
The Garza forces, as they entered the city, killed an American citizen, John McManus. But nothing was said about the great government of the United States "bringing to account those who are personally responsible." McManus was killed by the enemies of Obregon and Carranza, friends of the Brazilian Minister and proteges of Wilson. The little matter was instantly arranged by the payment of cash by Villa—and the American
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