Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume II

812.00/15715½a

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

Washington , August 6, 1915 .

My Dear Mr. President: I did not write you of the conference yesterday on Mexico as the session today was in continuance. Yesterday’s session lasted two hours; today’s three hours.

All the conferees were enthusiastic over the meeting, primarily on account of the evidence of the Administration’s friendliness to the Pan-American idea. Should it fail in every other way, it has already done much to draw Latin-America near to us.

I explained fully at the opening of the first session that the conference was informal and advisory and that there was no purpose of joint action, but that it might result in identical action which would, however, be independent. I said that this Government had no intention to invade the sovereignty of Mexico but merely to aid the Mexican people in the present distressing condition by seeking to recognize a government which would restore peace, secure individual rights, and perform its international obligations; that we recognized the right of revolution against injustice and tyranny; that we recognized that the principle of the revolution, the restoration of constitutional government, had triumphed a year ago; that the factions of the revolutionists, which were now quarreling, were joint possessors of the sovereignty; that personal ambition and personal greed were the causes of the factions; that no one faction represented the revolution, but that all of them combined did represent it; and that, therefore, we must seek for a new government among the factions and see if their differences could not be adjusted at least sufficiently to have the greater part unite on a provisional government strong enough and honest enough to command respect at home and abroad and to obtain recognition.

To the foregoing statement all the conferees gave assent, and we proceeded to discuss the means to accomplish the end sought.

. . . the first session decided upon two definite steps: First, to send a communication to the factions inviting them to an immediate conference, the communication to be signed by all the conferees independently and severally, not jointly: Second, to work out at once a plan of selecting a government to be recognized by the countries represented in case the first step failed.

At the session today Mr. Suárez submitted a draft communication in Spanish to be sent to the factions, which he prepared at my request. After some correction and considerable discussion it was approved by all. I stated to the conference that before I could act, the plan and communication must be submitted to you. I, therefore, enclose a translation for your consideration.¹³

After a general expression of views, which again wandered into the field of abstraction, I suggested that a committee of three, Mr. Naón, Mr. Calderón, and Mr. Fuller, prepare the details of the course to be taken in case the first step failed. This seemed the only way of practical suggestion. I enclose a written declaration prepared by Mr. Naón which was approved by all. The report will be supplemental to the latter part of this declaration.

I believe the committee are to work upon it tonight and it will be presented to the conference, which is to meet in New York on Tuesday or Wednesday. The change of the place of meeting was at the request of the conferees and was due to the heat here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In the discussions I found that there was unanimous agreement that Carranza was impossible, that even if he triumphed it would mean continued disorder. The disposition was to eliminate from consideration as the head of a government to be recognized all the present heads of factions and to seek a man who would draw the secondary chiefs to him. It was felt too that the man to establish the government must be named to us by Mexicans and, if possible, should be one with a measure of constitutional right. All were impressed with the necessity of haste on account of the distress in Mexico. . . .

I would be gratified if you would telegraph your approval of the Suárez communication to the factions, if you do approve, so I can notify the conferees and also call the meeting in New York to consider the committee’s report on the second step.

I forgot to say that it is intended to send the communication not only to the heads of the factions but to the principal military and political chiefs as well.

Secretary McAdoo telegraphed me asking me to meet him in New York on Sunday, the 8th, as you desired us to confer. I shall, therefore, be at The Biltmore Sunday morning.

Faithfully yours,

[File copy not signed]

[Enclosure]

Extract From Proceedings of the Conference of Diplomatic Representatives

Ambassador Naón: It seems to me this has been accepted: The recognition of a provisional government de facto in Mexico to be constituted by the agreement between all the factions within a reasonable time. If that government, from the agreement of all the factions, cannot be constituted, then to recognize a government organized by any of these factions strengthened by the concurrence of public opinion outside of the factions and on the basis of guarantees upon the life and property of foreigners and nationals.

13. For the communication as sent, see Foreign Relations, 1915, p. 735.