File No. 812.00/6068.
The American Consul at Saltillo to the Secretary of State.
Saltillo, March 11, 1913.
Sir: * * * Immediately after the announcement of General Huerta as the Provisional President, Governor Carranza, Governor of the State of Coahuila, denounced the new administration. He claimed to know that President Madero had not resigned and insisted that the Provisional President had unconstitutionally assumed the office of the Chief Executive. He held this attitude until noon of February 21.
On the morning of February 21 the Consul was emphatically informed by the Governor that he would not accept the Provisional President and that he would resist with armed forces. He had already demonstrated his purpose by recruiting and arming men.
When the Consul found that he could not prevail upon the Governor to accept the new order of affairs he requested a special train [Page 764] for the morning of February 22 to permit the foreigners to leave the disturbed district. This was readily granted. This conference was at 10.30. At 12 o’clock the Governor sent his carriage for the Consul and informed him that he, the Governor, had decided to accept the Provisional President. The Department and Embassy were notified of the Governor’s acceptance in the telegraphic despatch of February 21, 1 p.m.
On February 22 the American Consul urged the Governor to issue a bulletin announcing his conformity with the new administration. The Governor gave his assurance that a bulletin would be issued as soon as a conference by telegraph, between the Governor and the Provisional President, had been completed. By the night of February 22 the situation became tense as the Governor had not issued the bulletin of acceptance. This was taken as very unfavorable as he had been apparently precipitate in issuing former bulletins.
On the night of February 22 this Consulate received the following telegram in code from the Embassy through the Consul General at Monterey:
Our Ambassador instructs as follows:
“You are requested to inform all consular officers under your jurisdiction by telegraph as follows:
‘Provisional Government installed yesterday with General Huerta as President. General public approval in the city, which is perfectly quiet. Reassuring reports come from other places. President Madero is a prisoner awaiting the decision of the Congress in his case. Senate and House of Representatives in full accord with the new administration. You should make this intelligence public and in the interest of Mexico urge general adhesion and submission to the new Government, which will be recognized by all foreign governments today.’”
Hanna.
The Consul called at the Palace on the morning of February 23 to deliver the Embassy’s message to the Governor. At this conference the Governor stated that he had been perfectly willing to accept the Provisional Government, but while in conference by telegraph with the Provisional President, he, the Governor, had been cut off from communication by order of the Provisional President. The Governor requested the Consul to try to get into communication with the Embassy and in that way urge the Provisional President to open communication with him (the Governor). In pursuance of this request the Consul sent the following telegraphic despatch in code to the Embassy:
Federal Telegraph Office closed. You will receive this despatch by railroad wire. Governor advises me that his communication with Mexico has been cut by order of the President, and he believes federal troops are approaching to depose him. He reiterates to me his conformity with the new administration. I believe if the President deposes him he will lose the strongest man in Northern Mexico and a serious mistake will be made.
At 3 p.m., after this telegraphic despatch was sent, Don Miguel Cardenas, ex-Governor of the State of Coahuila, called at this Consulate to ascertain if any reply had been received. He called again at 5.30, but no reply had been received.
At 6.15 p.m. the Governor addressed a crowd from the Palace balcony, proclaiming his opposition to the Provisional Government, and left the city with his troops for Ramos Arizpe, twelve miles [Page 765] north-east, on the main line of the National Railroad. The following telegram was sent in code to the Embassy:
February 23, 10 p.m. From the Palace the Governor addressed a multitude this afternoon, the State troops being drawn up around plaza. At 6.15 he went north with a thousand heavily armed cavalry. His word for the Embassy and for Washington was that his overtures to the Government at Mexico had been ignored; that he did not propose to stay in Saltillo and meet the fate of Madero; that he would not resign but that he would go out into the open and fight. That the Government of Mexico was responsible. It is reported here that he will tonight meet and attack at some point north from here Federal troop train, which is reported to be en route from Monterey. It is reported that he will establish his capital at Monclova. The city tonight is in charge of the municipal authorities with hundred and fifty policemen.
This telegram was also sent to the Department but was returned the morning following with the statement that there was no communication with the United States.
On the morning of February 24 the Governor sent a detachment of 80 soldiers to Saltillo to force a loan of 40,000 pesos from the merchants. As soon as the merchants were apprised of this project the German, French and Spanish merchants severally and collectively sent committees to the American Consulate requesting that the Consul represent them in the matter. At a general conference of the merchants of the various nationalities, including Mexican merchants, the Municipal President appointed a committee of three Mexican merchants to confer with Governor Carranza as to the security he would give for this loan, whether the loan would be considered a loan to the State of Coahuila and so secured by the State. To this committee the Consul delivered a verbal message, to be transmitted to the Governor, requesting that he not make any demands upon the foreign merchants. On the morning of February 25 the Governor returned to the Palace and called for a conference with the Consul. In this conference the Consul was assured that this loan would not be forced from the foreign merchants and that at no future time would any demand be made upon the foreigners. The Consul is gratified to report that at no time did any foreigner contribute anything to the Governor or his officers.
In this conference the Consul again urged the Governor to respond to the general call for his acceptance of the Provisional Government. In a short while the Governor reassured the Consul that, if the Consul through the Embassy could induce the Provisional President to accept the Governor’s conformity and would communicate with the Governor, either direct or through the Embassy, he would make terms. Subsequent to this interview the following telegram was sent to the Embassy:
February 25, 3 p.m. Referring to his relations with the Federal Government, the Governor requests me to say to the Embassy, as follows:
“The situation is serious and may come to conflict at any moment. Have been unable to communicate with General Huerta. My last message to him remains unanswered. I know the Government is moving forces against this State. This will be the beginning of a new war in the Republic.”
I believe it would be advisable for the Embassy to counsel the President to communicate personally and immediately with the Governor, thereby avoiding a conflict with the combined northern States. He depends upon this Consulate and the Embassy to relieve the acute situation. I believe it would be consummate folly to send Federal troops here now. Governor requests that Embassy advise me whether President Madero has been killed as reported.
The Governor was told that in case any reply was received from the Embassy the Consul would immediately deliver it to him, either in Saltillo or at his camp, then at Arteaga, 10 miles east. At 5 p.m. the Governor informed the Consul that he had been apprised of approaching Federal troops and was forced to go out to engage them. The following telegraphic despatch was sent to the Department and Embasy:
February 25, 5 p.m. Governor Carranza has left to engage Federal troops, within ten miles. Fighting reported to have begun. Ex-Governor Cardenas left an hour ago with a flag of truce. All hope of peaceful settlement abandoned.
As no replies to these despatches to the Embassy were received, the Consul felt that any further hope of reconciling the Federal and State Executives was not well grounded. It is unlikely that the telegraphic despatches of this Consulate reached the Embassy promptly, as communication was very slow.
A newspaper which was brought in on horseback on the 10th states that the Department had invited the opposition leaders through the consuls to meet for conference in San Antonio, Texas. If this published statement is true the Department’s instruction has not reached this Consulate.
On February 26 the Governor returned to Saltillo and reoccupied the Palace and continued to muster forces, a part of which he despatched under his brother, Jesus Carranza, to Monclova.
By this time opposition had risen against the Governor among various prominent Mexicans. Some arrests were made. One of the Federal officers who had refused to align himself with the Carranza movement was shot while resisting arrest.
The Municipal President, Dr. Antonio Rodriguez, appealed to the Consul on the morning of February 26 for refuge. He was very much frightened and feared apprehension and execution at the hand of the Governor. He was given refuge until the afternoon of February 27, when ex-Governor Cardenas informed him that he need have no further fears. Frequent appeals were made to the Consul for refuge, but this was denied to all private citizens of Mexico as the Consul did not feel justified in granting refuge to citizens of the country to which he is designated, especially as the refugees were seeking the protection of the Consulate in order to avoid a forced loan which had been ordered by the Governor.
On March 1 the Governor demanded a loan from the banks and merchants. The foreign merchants again appealed to the Consul, and, upon representation to the Governor, he confined his forced loan to the banks, and March 3 received 75,000 pesos.
On March 1 the following telegraphic despatch was sent to the Embassy:
March 1, 8 p.m. The Governor is now in open and armed opposition to the Provisional Government, I fear beyond reconciliation. My efforts were futile after the President cut communication with him. It is possible that a personal message from the President might still be effective. I suggest as the last resort that the President make a proposition through the Embassy and this Consulate. Local conditions could hardly be worse. Governor has over 1,000 well-armed men. He has disarmed the city police and has liberated and armed prisoners. He has taken all public funds and this afternoon is making heavy demands and threats on the banks and merchants, including foreigners. [Page 767] Frenchmen, Germans and Spaniards are today urging the protection of this Consulate for themselves and their interests.
On. March 1, the following telegraphic instruction, dated February 26, was received from the Embassy:
Mexico, D. F., February 26, 11 a.m. You should display the greatest possible activity in bringing about on the one hand submission and on the other hand a disposition to deal justly, honorably, mildly with the dissatisfied elements. Spare no effort and report to the Embassy promptly. The Provisional Government, is being generally adhered to throughout the Republic and is showing great firmness and activity.
The Vice Consul was immediately despatched to Arteaga, the military camp of the Governor, to make the representations contained in the Embassy’s telegraphic instruction.
On the morning of March 3, a statement was received from the Governor embracing the propositions to the Embassy contained in the following telegraphic despatch from this Consulate:
March 3, 6 p.m. Governor of this State has submitted a communication to this Consulate directed to the Embassy proposing immediate resignation of the Chief Executive of the Provisional Government; that the President, the leader of the recent revolt and his chief of artillery leave the country; that Lascurain be designated to form a new constitutional government. Governor says he has 11,000 men in the following localities: Saltillo 2,600, Piedras Negras 1,600, Monclova 3,000, Sierra Mojada 1,000, Laguna District 3,000. Probably he has half the number quoted. Governor says that the miners of the north are joining his forces and begging for arms. There appears to be no longer any hope of the Governor submitting, to the Provisional Government. He secured a loan of 76,000 pesos today, and assures this Consulate that he will withdraw his demand upon the foreigners for a loan, and that there will be no fighting in the city.
It will be seen from the above telegram that there was little hope of the Governor making terms with the Provisional President. This despatch was also sent to the Department.
On March 4, at 10.30 p.m. the following telegraphic instruction was received from the Embassy:
Mexico, D. F., March 4, 6.45 p.m. Assure the Governor that he is rebelling against a legally constituted provisional government which is strongly fortified in the confidence of the country; that his overthrow and defeat appear to the Embassy to be inevitable. With all energy and as a solemn warning, urge upon him the necessity of immediately making terms with the Provisional Government and thus avoiding further shedding of Mexican blood, the destruction of property and the disturbance of the peace of the country.
Immediately upon receipt of the Embassy’s telegraphic instruction the Military Commander, Colonel Cos, was sent for, an automobile ordered, and by midnight the Consul and Vice Consul were in conference with the Governor in his camp at Ramos Arizpe, 12 miles northeast. While the Governor received the Consul and Vice Consul with his usual gracious manner, it was evident that the Embassy’s communication only provoked resentment. After moderating with him for a season he finally said: “The Consul can report to the Embassy that the Governor is in the fight to stay; that the Governor believes the Embassy to be largely at fault for the present conditions of affairs; that the Governor does not care to receive any further communication from the Embassy.”
The Governor was told that it did not become a Consul to deliver such a message to the Embassy, and that he would have to decline to deliver the Governor’s message;
[Page 768]The Governor, speaking further, said that he knew that the Embassy’s statement—that all countries would acknowledge the Huerta Government on February 21—was incorrect, and that the telegraphic communication was wrong; in fact, he said, that he believed that the United States had not recognized the new administration. The Consul could only reassure the Governor that the United States had recognized the Huerta Government as he had received no advice to the contrary. So far as persuading the Governor to make terms with the Provisional Government the Consul’s mission was fruitless.
On March 5, the following telegraphic despatch was sent to the Embassy:
March 5, 1 p.m. Your instruction March 4 submitted to the Governor at his military camp twelve miles north at midnight. Governor resents and declines suggestions of Embassy, insisting upon the fundamental wrong of the Provisional Government. Confidently and defiantly he announces armed resistance. His strength should not be underestimated. The Consulate is denied communication with the Embassy. City well guarded and quiet but situation becoming hourly more serious. Foreigners have been ordered to display their flags.
The Department received this despatch also, and was requested to notify the Embassy, as, at the time, the line to Mexico City was closed. Later on the message was transmitted.
On March 5, the Governor ordered the telegraph operator of the National Railroad to refuse all official telegrams of the Consul unless countersigned by the Governor. A protest was promptly made to the military commander with satisfactory results.
On March 6, Colonel Cos, Military Commander, ordered all delinquents to pay their taxes and licenses within 72 hours. It is not definitely known how much he derived through this project, but it is estimated from 25,000 to 50,000 pesos. * * * [Details of collecting of taxes.]
I have [etc.]
Note.—The despatch from which the following extracts are taken begins with copies of all the telegrams from the Embassy covering the period February 9–24, 1913, with accompanying comments by the Ambassador; these telegrams, in so far as pertinent to political affairs, have been printed in the foregoing pages. The Ambassador then explains various phases of the situation under the following subheadings.