File No. 839.00/1631.
The Secretary of State to Chargé White.
Washington, December 4, 1914, 6 p.m.
Your December 1, 1 p.m., and previous relevant correspondence. The opposition, by absenting itself for the purpose of preventing a constitutional quorum, has manifested its purpose to obstruct the will [Page 258] of the majority expressed at a free and fair election. This being the case, the Provisional President, in the exercise of his constitutional powers, should issue a decree declaring that a majority of the National Assembly is a quorum, to enable the oath of office to be administered at once. If Provisional President is unwilling to assume this responsibility, you will confer with the Provisional President and President-elect Jiménez, and if they approve, you may fix a day and hour in the near future when the new President will be recognized by this Government and full authority turned over to him, with the understanding that he will before that time take the oath of office in the presence of the National Assembly, provided a majority of both houses is present. Notify the leaders of the opposition that while their cooperation is desirable and should be given, from patriotic motives, still, if they withhold their cooperation this Government will give all necessary support to Jiménez and his Government with the view to the establishment of order and the promotion of peace and prosperity. It is hoped that the minority will appreciate this opportunity of giving hearty support to the new Government. Insurrection and revolutionary opposition will not be tolerated and if any such obstruction is attempted the leaders will be held personally responsible. Commander Willard of the Hancock will be instructed in the same sense.
Five thousand dollars per day will be allowed for the present but inform Jiménez that as soon as order is restored and the Government fully established it is expected that the expenses of the army will be largely reduced, so that education and public works may receive their just proportion of public revenues. Report attitude of the Provisional President and President-elect Jiménez.