File No. 812.00/7999.
[Untitled]
Mexico, July 9, 1913—5 p.m.
316. On behalf of our great trade and commercial interests with this country, which have been practically wiped out; of those harmonious relations which should exist between contiguous and friendly nations; of the 30,000 suffering Americans who are still left in Mexico, the objects of public hatred and without any guaranties of protection for their lives and property; of the more than 100,000 Mexicans whose lives have now been sacrificed in the struggle to restore order and peace in Mexico, I am obliged again to urge upon the President the pressing necessity for some action of a drastic and convincing kind that will convince this Government and this people that our nationals must be protected in life and property, and that the barbarous and inhuman warfare which has now been waged for [Page 809] three years shall cease. This may be brought about in two ways. First, by the official recognition of this Government, coupled with a demand for guaranties not only for the settlement of the existing questions between Mexico and the United States, which have already been agreed to in principle, but also for a clear and defined policy of protection to American lives and to American interests, either against the depredator or corrupt judiciary. Second, by the closing of our diplomatic establishment, leaving the same in the hands of this Embassy’s clerks, but under the political charge of one of the resident diplomats, and the withdrawal of the Ambassador and First Secretary from Mexico as a protest against existing conditions. I state this remedy simply, though if it were adopted it should be the subject of further discussion between the Embassy and the Department.
I submit these two courses as the only ones by which our interests may be conserved, our people protected, and a bloody war arrested. I can not obtain protection for our people at the present time because of the deliberate policy of the Mexican Government not to accord it, and because of the further fact that the whole course of events during the last three months, including the presence here in Mexico of persons claiming to be representatives of the President, are lowering the dignity of the Embassy and detracting from the respect and deference which the Mexican people have been taught to regard it during the last three years.
I believe this telegram should be called to the attention of the President and the Cabinet on account of the important policies it involves, and I [1] some important and definite expression as of paramount importance.
- Omission.↩