Papers relating to the foreign relations of the United States, 1929, Volume III

812.00/29464

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State (Clark)

[Washington,] March 5, 1929.

The Present Situation

A. In July last, Obregon, who had been elected President of Mexico to succeed Calles was assassinated. He would have taken office December 1, 1928.

B. His followers were keenly disappointed, many doubtless because of promised offices. Among the more important followers, was Fausto Topete, Governor of Sonora, who apparently hoped to become the leading political figure of Mexico.

C. Seemingly through the plans of Calles, Topete was eliminated as a national power, and returned to Sonora.

D. Portes Gil, Governor of Tamaulipas, was elected Provisional President of Mexico, by the Mexican Congress, in due constitutional form. He took office to hold till February 5, 1930.

E. The Mexican Congress called an election for the Presidency to be held in November 1929 at which time a President is to be elected for the remainder of the Obregon term of six years.

F. Calles declined any position in the Gil administration, but accepted the Presidency of the National Revolutionary Party of Mexico. Later because certain elements of this Party sought to take advantage of his position, in their favor, he resigned.

G. At the time he retired from the Presidency of Mexico, he unequivocally declared he would never again be President of Mexico; he reiterated these sentiments when he gave up the Presidency of the Revolutionary Party. His whole course since his Presidential term expired has been in accordance with these declarations.

H. Calles’ whole effort seems to have been directed to securing a fair and free choice among the various aspirants for President. He has asserted he believes the Presidency should go to a civilian, not to a military man.

I. At the time he retired from the Presidency Calles called all the principal military leaders together, and committed them individually to this program.

J. There are five principal candidates for the Presidency.

1. Aaron Saenz, Governor of Nuevo Leon; formerly Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico; Campaign manager of Obregon.

2. Pascual Ortiz Rubio, Minister to Germany and Ambassador to Brazil. Portes Gil offered him Ministry of Gobernacion, but he declined appointment.

The two foregoing were candidates for nomination by the National Revolutionary Party, which is holding its Convention at Queretaro.

3. Giliberto Valenzuela, former Minister of Gobernacion under Calles, and Minister to London under Calles.

Formerly close personal friend of Calles, Fausto Topete, who is perhaps the leader of the present revolution, is standing for Valenzuela.

4. Jose Vasconcelos, former Minister of Education under Obregon.

5. General Antonio Villareal, connected with Serrano-Gomez conspiracy of last year. Both Vasconcellos and Villareal are seeking nomination of Anti-Reelection Party. Both in Mexico now as a result of amnesty by Portes Gil.

K. The Revolutionary Party is holding its nominating Convention at Queretaro, beginning on March 1, 1929.

It appearing that Rubio had a majority, Saenz bolted the Convention, on the ground that the Credential Committee had disqualified some of his delegates, and threatened to hold a rump Convention. Saenz has, since the outbreak of the present revolution, withdrawn as a candidate, and pledged his loyalty to the Government.

L. Revolutionary activities have broken as follows:

(1) General Aguirre revolted at Vera Cruz on March 3; light firing between the Mexican Navy and soldiers on shore; no casualties; old Government employees still working. There is apparently some uncertainty as to whether the Navy is revolutionary or loyal; it has usually been loyal. Aguirre told the American Consul that the movement was mainly directed against Rubio as Presidential candidate and that if he would withdraw the trouble would end. The consul reports:

(2) Situation in Sonora:

Nogales

At 5 p.m. on March 3, Nogales was seized. Consul Damm reported it as follows:

“My telegram March 3, 6 p.m., brief report of seizure by the local garrison of custom house at Nogales and outbreak of revolt against the government this afternoon. Details herewith:

“Seizure effected by General Manuel Aguirre, Commander of Federal forces Northern Sonora, acting under instructions General Francisco Manzo and by local 64th regiment. Seizure came suddenly, no disturbance; martial law not declared. Aguirre assures business and traffic not to be interrupted. Manzo with additional forces coming up tomorrow; will make announcement to press reason and purpose of revolt. Aguirre names following States so far in the movement:

“Vera Cruz, Durango, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Laguna region of Coahuila, Sonora. Revolt here appears to be military coup only, no general approval of civil populace which is quiet though anxious. All Federal officers under arrest, must decide tomorrow whether to join revolutionists. Governor Topete one of the revolutionary leaders.

“Embassy informed.”

Agua Prieta

The Consul reports:

“City of Agua Prieta captured by local civil and military authorities by order of Governor of Sonora. No fighting occurred, turnover made peacefully. Am informed that entire State of Sonora has been taken in the same manner. It is presumed to be part of general revolutionary movement by Gilberto Valenzuela.”