812.00/16989½
President Wilson to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: We have already gone over this matter orally; but perhaps it is best for me to put down what I understand our course of action is to be:
We are to call our Latin American colleagues together and suggest to them a conference with representatives of Carranza at Washington, on substantially the basis he proposes, to discuss the advisability of recognizing him as the de facto head of the Republic; having it clearly understood that we think the acceptance of the Revolution absolutely necessary.
We are also to keep faith with the leaders of the other factions, who have accepted our proposal for a conference on Mexican affairs, and are to call such a conference of their representatives to be convened and held in Mexico; with the understanding that we wish from them any proposals they may wish to make, but with the intimation conveyed to them in some proper way that the best and most helpful thing for them to do is to let us know confidentially the terms upon which they will submit to Carranza in view of the probable necessity we shall be under, because of the utter alteration of conditions since our suggestion of a conference was conveyed to them, of recognizing him as the head of the Republic.
Faithfully Yours,