Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1912
File No. 812.00/3443.
[Untitled]
Mexico, March 26, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of correspondence exchanged between this Embassy and the Mexican Foreign Office relative to the guaranties of protection of foreigners in Mexico City. This correspondence was initiated by the Embassy at the request of the Ministers of Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Japan, and, with the exception of the final note of March 25, has received their approval. The note of March 25 was not addressed to Mr. Calero in the name of my colleagues but solely in the name of this Embassy. All other concurring diplomatic representatives are addressing similar notes to the Foreign Office. The correspondence is submitted to the Department for its approval or criticism.
I have [etc.]
The American Ambassador to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mexico March 11, 1912.
My Dear Me. Calero: I beg to inform your excellency that at the request of several of the foreign representatives here having large colonies in this city there was last Saturday afternoon an informal meeting of several chiefs of [Page 763] mission at this Embassy. The object of this informal meeting, which was in no sense a conference of the diplomatic corps, was the discussion of the safety of the foreign colonies here in the event of any disorders occurring in this city. The question of the number of Federal troops now on duty here was brought up, and the ministers expressed their positive opinions as to the obligation of the Mexican Government to keep a sufficient force in the capital to secure adequate protection against any possibility of trouble. The statement was made that during the administration of President Diaz there were never less than 5,000 troops stationed in Mexico City, excluding police, and the assertion was made on reliable information that the number now here is less than 2,000.
I should be very glad to receive any information which your excellency can give me as to what number of troops the proper authorities consider sufficient for the adequate protection of the capital, and how many men there are actually in this city or its vicinity at the present time.
Believe me [etc.]
The Minister for Foreign Affairs to the American Ambassador.
Mexico, March 13, 1912.
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I refer to your informal note of the 11th instant, No. 56, Serial 1968, and in reply I have the honor to confirm what I said to the first secretary of the Embassy, Mr. Schuyler—that is, that you, as well as the chiefs of mission with whom you have spoken concerning the maintenance of order in this city, may be sure that the Government has sufficient means to guarantee the lives and interests of its residents, natives as well as foreigners. The garrison of regular troops is not the only force at the disposal, and, therefore, the data concerning the number of such garrison is not essential, moreover, when its number is variable, according to the necessities of the service in the city and elsewhere.
The officers in Charge of the maintenance of order in this city are the governor of the Federal District, the military commander, and the inspector general of, police. The persons who occupy these positions are worthy of the full confidence of the Government and of society.
Believe me [etc.]
The American Ambassador to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mexico, March 14, 1912.
My Dear Mr. Calero: I have your informal note of March 13 last, written in reply to mine of the 11th, and beg to express my regret that you have not been able to furnish the information relative to the military dispositions in this city which was clearly and courteously asked for therein at the request of a number of my colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps.
Realizing that many of our nationals were leaving Mexico, in many cases because of unfounded apprehensions concerning the ability of the authorities to cope with the elements of disorder, my colleagues and I desired to communicate to them through their societies and organizations information of a concrete and specific character relative to the dispositions made by the general and local government in the City of Mexico for the preservation of order and for the protection of life and property. We believed, and still believe, that the exodus which is constantly going on, and which is contributing in a very large measure to the acute economic situation which exists here, would be a matter of grave concern, to the Mexican Government and that it would be glad to take advantage of an opportunity to make known through responsible channels the exact number of Federal troops of all arms which the Government estimates as sufficient for the preservation of order in this city and what force is at present [Page 764] maintained here. My colleagues and I are aware that your excellency’s Government is alive to its responsibilities and conscious of its obligations and duties, but mere assurances of a general character have no weight with our nationals, a great many of whom are alarmed and skeptical as to the resources at the command of the Government and many of whom have abiding confidence only in Federal troops as guardians of public order.
Do you not think, my dear Mr. Calero, that under these circumstances it would be the part of wisdom to enable us to furnish specific information and in this way afford us the privilege of rendering practical and useful assistance to the Mexican Government?
Believe me [etc.]
The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the American Ambassador.
Mexico, March 19, 1912.
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I refer to your informal note of the 14th instant, in which you insist on a categorical reply concerning the following questions: What is the number of Federal troops in the City of Mexico at the present time, and what is the exact number of Federal troops, of the different arms, which the Government considers sufficient to maintain order in this city?
Your excellency is of the opinion that my reply to the above-mentioned questions will serve the purpose of quieting unfounded fears, to which, in your excellency’s opinion, is due the exodus of foreigners and much to be deplored.
Although my opinion and that of other Mexican officers is not in accord with your excellency’s upon the principal causes of the exodus, almost exclusively of American citizens, I would gladly satisfy your excellency’s wishes, but I am unable to do so for the following reasons:
In the first place, and referring to the number of the Federal troops in this city, I must say that the capital has never had a fixed garrison, and neither this Government nor that of General Díaz have ever kept here a fixed number of soldiers. Therefore, the data on the importance of the numerical capacity of the garrison on this date would be of no interest, as such data would vary the very next day either one way or the other.
In the second place, and for reasons which can not escape your excellency’s keen perception, I can hardly say which would be the number of troops of all arms which the Government would consider sufficient to preserve order in this city. This data would also be subject to variation, because when the city is quiet and the spirit of the people is not worked up by agitators, nor is there any extraordinary event in sight which could excite a public feeling, the garrison may be relatively small. In the contrary situation the garrison has to be more numerous. It should also be borne in mind that if because the necessities of service the cavalry force of the city is increased and the infantry forces are diminished, or vice versa, the number of soldiers which the Government may consider proper to preserve order would vary, according to the arm to which the troops may belong.
If your excellency will thoughtfully consider the above, you will agree that the reply I had the honor to give you in my letter of the 13th was in accordance with the circumstances and the one which corresponds to my official position. I will not hesitate to give this same reply to each one of your excellency’s colleagues which constitute the section of the diplomatic corps in the name of which your excellency has had the kindness to address me.
The public officers of this city and myself consider the manifestation that took place on Sunday, the 10th instant, shows that the inhabitants of this capital are moved by a feeling entirely favorable to the Government, which, of course, is no reason why the necessary vigilance should be decreased. We are cognizant of our responsibilities and are decided to maintain order, not only to protect foreigners but also for the safety of our own families and interests.
Feeling grateful to your excellency for the kind spirit which you have shown, the purposes of which you have referred to in the last paragraph of your note under acknowledgment, I am, my dear Mr. Ambassador [etc.]
The American Ambassador to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mexico, March 25, 1912.
My Dear Mr. Calero: Referring to the correspondence which I have had the honor to exchange with you relative to my desire and that of some of my colleagues to be precisely informed as to the measure of protection which under certain emergencies the Government will be able to afford to foreigners residing in this city, I beg to again express my regret that you have not felt it advantageous to supply us with the information which we believed to be very necessary in calming the apprehension of our nationals and to that extent a great benefit to the Mexican Government. I have referred the correspondence in this matter to my colleagues, the Ministers of France, Spain, Germany, Great Britain, and Japan, for such action in the premises as their excellencies may think proper, and on my own account I shall have the honor of addressing you an additional note relative to the same question.
Believe me [etc.]
The American Ambassador to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Mexico, March 25, 1912.
My Dear Mr. Calero: Referring to the correspondence which I have had the honor to exchange with your excellency on behalf of some of my colleagues of the resident diplomatic corps, who are deeply concerned for the safety of their nationals in this city in the event of disorderly demonstrations by the lawless elements, I beg to express my regret that your excellency, doubtless for what seem to you good and sufficient reasons, has not found it expedient to furnish me with the information which I expressed a desire to have.
Under the circumstances, having in mind the strict fulfillment of my duty to such American nationals as still remain here I beg to say to you that, in the absence of any satisfactory evidence beyond general and reassuring statements which, however laudably conceived and securely relied upon, do not meet the necessities of the abnormal situation which exists here, my Government reserves the right, according to the established principles of international law, to make reclamation for the loss of American life or for damages to person or property of American nationals which may occur in the City of Mexico or this Federal District through the acts of mobs or organized or unorganized elements of disorder and lawlessness.
Believe me [etc.]