File No. 812.00/3365.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, March 20, 1912.
My Dear Mr. Knox: Since the date of my February 20, 1912 [No. 1270], the area of revolution and disorder has materially increased in some parts of the Republic and decreased in others. On the whole, I think the Government’s position is less secure and its authority more restricted than they were a month ago. Since that time the State of Chihuahua has passed entirely out of the control of the Government; a new State organization has been created there and from within its territories a militant force has been recruited, with the sympathy and assistance of adjoining States, to march upon the capital of the Republic. It will probably be able to retain control of the State of Chihuahua and perhaps ultimately of the State of Sonora and remain a menace and a threat to the existence of the present Government of the Republic. * * *
Coming south from these border States, which with the exception of the State of Nuevo León are all affected by the revolutionary movement, we find in the States of Guanajuato, Zacatecas, and [Page 754] Aguascalientes many disorders, and in some parts a strong revolutionary movement.
In the State of Mexico and the south, southeastern, and southwestern States, stretching to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the Government in its strenuous efforts to save the situation in the north has visibly weakened its effectiveness and given an opportunity for a revival of the revolutionary movement under Zapata and various other rebel chiefs. * * *
Americans, believing that they had nothing to fear here [Mexico City] except mob violence, have, since the perfection of their organization for the defense of their homes and property, been inclined to look more cheerfully on the situation. According to the reports made to me they will in case of necessity be able to concentrate within a fairly short time a well armed and equipped body of 1,200 men. The Germans are also well organized, and have succeeded in securing two machine guns. The Spanish, French, and English colonies are also organized and armed. I have carefully advised our nationals to avoid everything which could possibly give offense to Mexican public opinion, to indicate clearly that they wish simply to be aids to the officers of the law in the protection of property and their own homes, and that under no circumstances must they allow themselves to be drawn aside from the clearly defined purpose of their organization. I anticipate no difficulties on this score.
The President’s proclamation of March 2, 1912, and the notice to Americans by this Embassy, which was issued in conformity therewith, at first produced considerable excitement and some misinterpretation, which I believe was due almost entirely to the deeply rooted belief which had been in the mind of everyone that whenever intervention had been determined upon it would be heralded by a presidential proclamation. After a few days, however, the real intent and true meaning of the proclamation was understood and its reassuring effect on Americans and its sobering one on Mexicans can not be doubted or questioned. The President’s proclamation of March 14, 1912, had a most excellent effect in official and diplomatic circles, where our alleged contribution to the strength of the rebellion has been a matter of frequent and severe criticism. But I have yet to note a single expression of appreciation from the press or from any prominent man in unofficial life. This singular lack of comprehension of our benevolent and patient attitude under most trying circumstances toward the Mexican Republic and the almost national tendency to forget great and substantial benefits conferred, and to loudly call attention to trivial offenses, is a psychological condition: which it is wise to understand and to always anticipate, and in our dealings with Mexico it will be well to be satisfied with the knowledge that our actions will stand the test of impartial history and may not be impeached in the wider domain of Latin-American public opinion.
I am [etc.]