File No. 812.00/3481.
Emilio Vásquez Gómez to the Secretary of State.
Honorable Sir: In a manifesto to the Mexican people, of the 17th of February last,1 I made the following declarations: I continue and will continue to reside in this city without taking, as I have not heretofore taken, any part whatsoever in the armed movement that is going on in the country; but I permit myself, as nothing more than a plain citizen, to recommend to-day to all my partisans who are or may be under arms, the greatest possible order in all their acts, profound respect for and even protection of the life of every peaceable person, be he native or foreign. All just, noble, and patriotic causes are thus conducted; civilization, self-respect, and the dignity of the nation demand it. And at all times and under all circumstances do I specially recommend this in regard to foreigners. They have contributed and will continue to contribute effectively and powerfully, with the capital and beneficial teachings they bring us, to the prosperity of Mexicans and to the progress of the country, and it is necessary that they find in our honest and dignified conduct a sure guaranty and protection for their lives and interests. This must be our invariable course for the justification and credit before the other peoples of the earth, of civilization, and dignity of our nation.
[Page 772]On yesterday, March 31, I addressed to the press of the City of Mexico a telegram, which I sent to that capital, reading as follows:
Citizen Francisco I. Madero, President of Mexico:
Although revolutionary movements are respecting lives and interests of men of peace, especially foreigners, I call upon you, the press, and the League for Social Defense, for the good of the mother country and mankind, to recommend to both contending parties order and true respect and protection of the lives and interests of all, especially foreigners, including every prisoner of war; further, that when towns are entered it be done in orderly manner, energetic measures being ordered to extend to all the inhabitants, property, and work true and immediate guaranties of order, respect, and protection and assurance of peace and tranquility.
My humble name is the only one under the revolutionary standard in the whole country which affords full security for immediate peace at the moment of triumph. In the meantime, in view of that uniformity, I avail myself of the influence of my name as a plain Mexican citizen to make these recommendations to the contestants and this sincere call for the good of the motherland and mankind. I beg you, the press, and the League for Social Defense to publish, reproduce, and propagate these sound, patriotic, and humanitarian ideas. It is our common supreme duty to alleviate and remove the sufferings of the motherland.
I may give assurance that the whole united Mexican people will work with resolution and zeal to meet the deep necessities that have caused the present revolution and to maintain the peace, integrity, honor, and independence of the nation, as well as its relations of friendship and sincere cordiality with all the people of the earth, upon the same firm basis of mutual respect of justice and of the respective rights of all. I take pleasure in offering the assurances of my respect and consideration.
- Mentioned in the American Ambassador’s telegram of Feb. 18, 12 noon.↩