File No. 812.00/3487.
The American Ambassador to
the Secretary of State.
No. 1337.]
American Embassy,
Mexico,
March 29, 1912.
Sir: For the information of the Department, I
have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of an informal note to Mr.
Calero, Minister for Foreign Affairs, relative to the return of Mr. de
la Barra to Mexico.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure.]
The American Ambassador
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Embassy,
Mexico,
March 27, 1912.
My Dear Me. Calero: Mr. E. N. Brown
informed me yesterday that the report was being insistently
circulated through banking and commercial circles that the
Washington Government had encouraged the return to Mexico of Mr. de
la Barra and that I was conducting an active propaganda in his
behalf.
I am amazed and disgusted that such utterly absurd stories could find
lodgment in the minds of sensible and serious men, and I hasten to
assure you that there is not a scintilla of truth in the story,
neither as it relates to the Washington Government nor to me. My
earnest hopes and desires—sentiments which I know are shared by the
Government at Washington—are that the present legally elected
Government of Mexico shall be maintained, and, as you are doubtless
conversant, we are, to the fullest extent compatible with a
dignified abstinence from intrusion in Mexican affairs, giving every
day evidence of our deep sympathy with the administration of
President Madero, which is our duty to the de
jure and de facto Government as a
friendly nation.
I have known Mr. de la Barra many years and esteem him a most worthy
Mexican and a sincere patriot, and if he is returning to his country
as reported, I am obliged, from my knowledge of his character, to
assume that he comes hither to discharge the duties of a Mexican
citizen and to be of service to his country.
Believe me [etc.]
