File No. 812.00/7253.
The American Ambassador to
the Secretary of State.
No. 1924.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
April 15, 1913.
Sir: Supplementing my despatch No. 1917 of
April 2, 1913, in which I transmitted copies of correspondence exchanged
with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government of
Mexico relative to the continuance of American war vessels in the port
of Vera Cruz, I have the honor to transmit herewith further
correspondence in the matter.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure 1—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the American
Ambassador.
Foreign Office,
Mexico,
April 5, 1913.
Mr. Ambassador: This Department has
received, first your excellency’s note of the 2nd instant, and
afterwards, your note of the 1st, relating to the stay of American
vessels in ports of this Republic.1
Your excellency states [etc.]
It is my duty to invite your excellency’s attention to three points
which I consider of the greatest importance in the matter:
- 1st.
- At no time, whatever may be the circumstances of the
country, can the principles upon which the sovereignty of a
country is based be considered as suspended, and much less
with reference to measures of a military and naval
character. For this reason Mexico considers as a matter of
the greatest timeliness, and duly appreciates, the
explanations contained in your excellency’s letter, to which
I will refer in due time.
- 2nd.
- The opportunity in which a question of this character can
not exist or fail to occur on account of external acts, such
as the recognition or non-recognition of the government of a
sovereign nation; and,
- 3rd.
- Speaking of recognition itself, I must say that Mexico
considers that its Government has been formally recognized
by all friendly Governments which have representatives in
this country, as appears from the official relations
maintained by said representatives with the Chief Executive
and with the Department under my charge, the undersigned
being of the opinion that the reply given to the autograph
letter by which the President announces his succession to
power [is] a mere consequence of the above-mentioned
relations.
In the opinion of the undersigned, these considerations are of much
more weight considering that in the present case it is not a
question of a de facto government, but of one which has all the
constitutional characteristics and requisites, as is known to your
excellency by means of evident and well-known facts.
[Page 792]
After having made the above explanation, I can not refrain from
thanking your excellency for the information contained in the note
under acknowledgment that orders have been given by the Navy
Department recalling the vessels stationed in Gulf ports, which stay
I can assure your excellency is not necessary to maintain the peace
in the port and State of Vera Cruz, because, contrary to what
appears from the reports of the American Consul, the Governor of the
State as well as the Commander of the port, are loyal to the
Government.
I trust that your excellency will have the kindness to communicate to
me the result of the action taken in the matter after informing the
Washington Government of the provisions of the Mexican law which
forbid foreign vessels from staying in Mexican waters for more than
thirty days.
I avail [etc.]
[Inclosure 2—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to the American
Ambassador.
Foreign Office,
Mexico,
April 10, 1913.
Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor again to
address your excellency in order to reiterate the desirability of
securing from the Department of State a reply concerning the stay of
American vessels in ports of this Republic, as it has been extended
beyond the time which the law permits the Mexican authorities to
grant, as explained to your excellency in my previous notes.
I believe that your excellency’s Government will duly understand this
indication, inasmuch as it must be convinced that mutual respect has
always constituted the firmest basis of the good relations which
happily unite the two peoples and the two Governments, and that it
would be lamentable if they should become less cordial, even for a
brief time, which would probably happen if unfortunately the
representatives of the press should take note of the provisions of
the law of Mexico, which are imperative in this connection, and
which do not leave any discretion to my Government concerning the
strict watch it should exercise in the performance of its duties in
matters of this kind.
I do not doubt that the Government of the United States will justly
estimate these suggestions, which are in keeping with friendly
relations and the spirit of justice on which they are based.
I avail [etc.]
[Inclosure 3.]
The American Ambassador
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Embassy,
Mexico,
April 11, 1913.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s esteemed note of April
5th.
I have carefully noted the considerations to which your excellency is
good enough to invite my attention, as pertinent to the further
continuance in Mexican waters of American war vessels, and I am
obliged to say that I am not in agreement therewith.
All of the representations of your excellency’s Government relative
to this question, with the exception of the note to which this is a
reply, have been duly transmitted by telegraph to the Government at
Washington, but as I have received no instructions in reply thereto
I assume that it is not the purpose of my Government, as yet, to
alter its policy in these matters with respect to Mexico.
I beg to suggest to your excellency that in view of your reiterated
representations to me on this question, its discussion be
transferred to the Mexican Embassy at Washington, by which procedure
results perhaps more satisfactory may be achieved.
I avail [etc.]
[Page 793]
[Inclosure 4.]
The American Ambassador
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Embassy,
Mexico,
April 12, 1913.
Mr. Minister: I have the honor to
acknowledge your excellency’s esteemed note of April 10, again
inviting my attention to the undesirability of the continuance of
American ships of war in Mexican ports.
I am obliged to say to your excellency that, while I have, in
compliance with your expressed wish, again telegraphed to my
Government at Washington the substance of the views which you have
expressed, I must reiterate to you my desire to have this discussion
transferred to the Mexican Embassy in Washington, where, as of
course your excellency understands, it properly belongs.
I avail [etc.]
