File No. 812.00/8867.
The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, September 15, 1913.
492. Following is a translation of the most salient points of the presidential message to be delivered tomorrow, the 16th. It is only for domestic consumption and does not represent the real attitude of the Government here toward the United States, which is one, in my opinion, of falling in with the suggestions of the President of the United States without admitting that it is doing so. The Department will note that Mr. Lind’s mission is only casually referred to. The message side-steps all issues. I am of the opinion that it may be considered as purely perfunctory.
Gamboa told me today that he did not know of Huerta’s plans but that he took it as a matter of course that the elections would take place according to law.
Besides the fratricidal strife among Mexicans, which is about to end, we have the tenseness of our diplomatic relations with the United States Government, though not with the people, which has called universal attention to us and has caused us more than one hardship and retarded the complete pacification of the country. As this is a very delicate matter and inasmuch as the status of the noninterrupted negotiations has been brought to the attention of the Permanent Commission of Congress and of the nation in general, I shall only say that the Government hopefully expects that the contention which today holds in suspense the good friendship which of old and for an indefinite future has and will bind us to our powerful and civilized neighbor will soon be settled. I will add that the congratulations of the Permanent Commission and of the Supreme Court of the nation for the attitude of the Executive in these moments of trial are its best encouragement and the unmistakable sanction that when the dignity of the nation is at stake the three powers, as the last one of the Mexicans, will stand as one man and accept any kind of sacrifice. It is to be regretted that notwithstanding our bonds of blood, language, customs, aspirations and destinies, certain nations have abstained from responding to my autograph [Page 831] letter. The Executive does not know the cause and will not endeavor to ascertain it.
Several foreign vessels having been sent to Mexican waters for the protection and care of their nationals, due to the dangers arising from the present abnormal conditions of the country, the Foreign Office corresponded with foreign diplomats on the subject and as satisfactory explanations were made the Mexican Government dictated such orders as were in keeping with its laws, and as the same forbid the stay of a foreign vessel in Mexican territorial waters for more than 30 days the Senate passed a decree on April 25 last allowing the stay of such vessels during a period of six months from the above date but will not entertain the idea of a renewal of this permission. The Government, in accepting such liabilities as may arise from the present strife, but in accordance with the rules of international law, convened several diplomats accredited near it and proposed the creation of a committee made up of the leading business men and lawyers of Mexico to dispose rapidly of the claims of foreigners growing out of the abnormal conditions of the country. This committee, however, has not as yet been established, but the project for its creation will soon be sent to Congress for its deliberation.
The Executive refers to the enactment of the law of procedure concerning the elections to be held next October. The law was approved and will be put in force at the proper time.