File No. 812.00/2384.
[Extract.]
Mexico, September 22, 1911.
My Dear Mr. Knox.: Since my return on September 6 I have carefully watched the political situation in Mexico, with its attendant economic and moral phases, with the view of noting what, if any, changes in public conditions and tendencies have occurred during the last two months and what the indications are for the return of order, peace and prosperity to the Republic. I am glad to say that the hearty cooperation between President de la Barra and Mr. Madero has brought about a practical restoration of order in a very large part of the Republic, and that with the exception of the States of Sinaloa, Chiapas, Morelos, and Oaxaca the people are rapidly resuming normal and orderly ways, and the new officials, who represent to a very large extent the revolutionary party, are discharging the duties of their various posts with, commendable prudence, firmness and energy.
It is hoped that the rebel army of the notorious chieftain, Zapata, which is now moving backward and forward between the States of Morelos and Oaxaca, may be captured, and that thus a formidable lesson may be given to all the other malcontent and depredatory elements in southern Mexico.
While order has been restored throughout the Republic except in the States and localities mentioned, a spirit of unrest, of nervous tension, of dissatisfaction with any and all political programs, of lack of respect for law and the constituted authorities prevails everywhere.
The political situation begins to clear, with the apparent certainty that Madero will triumph over all of his enemies in the primary elections to be held October 1, notwithstanding a considerable loss in prestige and political following. The intrigues of Francisco Vásquez Gómez and his brother, Emilio Vásquez Gómez—recently minister of gobernacion—have come to naught. Gen. Reyes, who came into the country as the nominal savior of the old Diaz régime, seems to have become a byword and a jest in the arena of politics. The Catholic party, after many vacillations, having finally approved the candidacy of Madero, would appear to be eliminated from the presidential contest.
In my judgment, unless it should develop that there are combinations and arrangements governing the control of Congress and the naming of the Vice President, the elections will result in the complete triumph of the Maderista elements.
I note with great satisfaction one phase of the situation here at the present moment, which is the almost complete disappearance of the evidences of any anti-American feeling or of expressed suspicions of the character of our policy toward this Republic. This is accompanied, moreover, by a higher measure of respect in the public mind [Page 519] for our Government as such and a readier disposition by the Government to listen to and deal justly with American questions having merit and respectable support.
I am, etc.,