File No. 812.00/8027.
[Untitled]
Mexico, July 11, 1913—1 p.m.
319. When the attention of the President is called to the Embassy’s 316, July 9, 5 p.m., it should be called also to the following:
The transaction of business of any kind by this Embassy with this Government has now become practically impossible, as no attention is paid to representations concerning protection to either property or life, even when repeatedly made. Americans have been told by subordinate officials that they have instructions to discriminate, delay, and ignore all American matters. A practical boycott is being directed by this Government, against not only our official representatives, but also individual Americans all over the Republic who require protection or who have matters pending with the Government. This is accompanied by a rising tide of bitter resentment, which is finding unlicensed expression in the press, which is now exciting the mob and is almost the sole topic of conversation. The incomputable sufferings and losses of Americans in Mexico promise to become infinitely greater, and their treatment is rapidly tending toward persecution. The insolence of public officials to this Embassy has become intolerable, and on Monday I was obliged to say to the President that unless the Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs was immediately dismissed for his insolent bearing toward the Embassy I should be compelled immediately to take some action that would bring matters to a crisis. This official was dismissed, but the general situation remains the same.
The President should understand that in dealing with this situation he is now face to face with grave responsibilities which can be met only by an action of a firm, formidable and impressive character. One of the two courses indicated in my 316, July 9, 5 p.m., is all I can suggest, but perhaps another more satisfactory may be found by the President.