File No. 817.00/1745.
[Untitled]
President Diaz has written me a letter, which I received this morning, with the request that I transmit a translation of it to the Department. The following is a translation of the letter:
My Dear Sir and Friend: Since you have been here during such an eventful period, occupying a position permitting you fully to appreciate the situation, you have perceived what almost insuperable obstacles confront every attempt to put into effect a truly reconstructive program. One of them is found in our foreign relations, where the inevitable contact of our policy with that of other Central American States produces uneasiness in the country because of the uncertainty it inspires in the men of the Government and because of the encouragement it gives to those who expect assistance from some other Central American Government that is interested in creating difficulties for us in our relations with the United States.
Another is the internal situation. The party leaders, filled with hatred by years of bloody struggle, will never confide the triumph of their cause to republican propaganda, but expect always to assert by force of arms the right to exercise power in the Republic. An irreconcilable division therefore separates the political parties, and the Government consequently has to maintain itself, as in a campaign, against the constant conspiring of its opponents; in short, the result may be called a state of war. It has lasted for years, and, of course, the economic consequences are profound; and this same violent politics is also the reason for the prevalence of sanguinary crimes, which can not be successfully dealt with by courts and juries, since in the juries passion defeats justice almost always.
On these two problems I have seriously meditated and disconsolately conclude that lasting and stable peace, order, economy, moderation, and liberty can not come through our own means; and that the grave evils affecting us can be destroyed only by means of more direct and efficient assistance from the United States, like that which resulted so well in Cuba.
It is therefore my intention by means of a treaty with the American Government to so amend or add to the constitution as to assure that assistance, permitting the United States to intervene in our internal affairs in order to maintain peace and the existence of a lawful government, thus giving the people a guaranty of proper administration.
Before opening official negotiations I wish first to learn privately through you the opinion of the Department of State, and if you can do me this favor you will also render thereby a great service to this country.
I am, etc.,
Adolfo Diaz.