852.00/5841
The Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Nájera) to the Secretary of
State
[Translation]
The Ambassador of Mexico presents his compliments to His Excellency the
Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, and takes pleasure in sending to
him the text of the communication which he had the honor to transmit
this morning to His Excellency the President of the United States
Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Washington
, June 24,
1937.
[Page 338]
[Enclosure—Translation]
Memorandum
Being deeply impressed by the acts of unheard of violence recently
committed by the Spanish rebels against open cities and their
civilian population—comprised for the most part of defenseless women
and children—General Lázaro Cárdenas believes it his duty to make a
new appeal to the spirit of justice and humanity which characterizes
the present Government of the United States with the proposal
that—by common agreement—an endeavor be made to find a means of
solving the problem not only because of the consideration of the
responsibility which history will place on those who remain
indifferent before such a situation but also in view of the very
grave precedent which such toleration might lay down for future
conflicts. The deserved prestige of the administration of President
Roosevelt and particularly the personal prestige of the first
magistrate of the United States will give to any step sponsored by
him an importance the more decisive because of the fact that the
country over whose government he presides cannot be suspected in the
present case of acting because of the motives which render
interested and therefore open to objection the action of other great
powers. General Cardenas understands the difficulties which this
problem poses from an international standpoint but believes that a
generous mediation directed by the North American Government would
be able to overcome them for the well-being of humanity.
