812.00/18534½
Memorandum by the Secretary of State36
The announced policy of the United States in its relations with Mexico has been and still is one of non-intervention. In using the words “intervention” and “non-intervention” the meaning of intervention should be clearly understood. To intervene in the affairs of a neighboring independent state means to interfere with its domestic affairs and the exercise of its sovereign rights by its people.
In June, 1915, when I became Secretary of State, I realized that the continued conditions of lawlessness and violence in the northern states of Mexico might at any time compel us to employ force to protect the American border and American citizens against the bands of armed men who were committing depredations in that region, and that, if we were compelled to send troops into Mexico, it could only be construed as intervention between the factions which were striving to obtain control of the government. Without a recognized government we could not cause a state of international war between the United States and Mexico.
In view of the policy of non-intervention and the satisfaction with which it had been received by the Latin American Republics to be forced to adopt a course of intervention although the actual purpose was protection of American rights and territory would have placed the Government in an awkward position. It would have been difficult to persuade the Latin American governments that we could only intervene in view of the fact that Mexico had no government which we could hold responsible for the crimes perpetrated. Suspicion and doubt would have been aroused as to our motives and we would have been charged with insincerity in announcing that we had no intention to intervene. This would have been very unfortunate for our efforts to secure a Pan American treaty, and would have materially affected the policy of Pan Americanism, which was being developed.
It was important, therefore, to recognize a government in Mexico as soon as opportunity offered in order to avoid a condition which forced us into the false position of intervention.
- This undated memorandum bears the notation: “Prepared to use with Prest. RL.”↩