File No. 812.00/517.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, November 26, 1910.
Sir: As supplementary to telegrams of November 18 [and others subsequent], I have the honor to call the attention of the Department to the following points in connection with the recent revolutionary outbreaks in Mexico:
- First. That the movement, while apparently unorganized and without responsible leadership, yet ramified throughout the Republic and was remarkable for its intensity and bitterness, showing deep-seated antipathy and antagonism to the Government.
- Second. That while the manifestants were usually drawn from the so-called lower middle class of the country, their sentiments pervade, to a very great extent, the upper and lower classes, neither of which participated to any great extent in the recent demonstrations, though openly sympathizing with them.
- Third. The deep apprehension and nervousness in governmental circles and the difficulty experienced in the earlier stages of the attempted revolution in dealing with an unorganized and leaderless movement.
- Fourth. The rigid censorship exercised over the local telegraph lines, suggesting the possibility of occurrences and difficulties which it was not desirable to reveal to the public eye.
In this city—and I am informed also on other important centers—the expressions of sympathy and approval of the revolutionary movement were almost universal among all classes of people, and they were not voiced quietly, but openly, aggressively and in all public places.
There is a deep animosity on all hands to Vice President Corral and to the “Cientifico” group which surrounds the President, and in my opinion it is only respect for and fear of the President which at this time restrains a formidable movement. The lack of intelligent leadership and organization enabled the Government to suppress the revolution, but the cause has not been removed and the state of affairs which would be produced by an organized movement under a popular and highly esteemed leader is one which should be a matter for serious consideration. During the recent disturbances in the north, the danger did not result from the strength or the respectability of the movement, but from the circumstance that a few successes by the revolutionists would have brought about a serious and active movement in all the great centers against the present Government.
I have, etc.,