File No. 812.00/11608a.
The Secretary of State to Special Agent Carothers.
Washington, April 21, 1914, 9.50 p.m.
Please see General Carranza and make known to him the President’s position.
The President does not desire any resolution that could be construed as authorizing him to engage in war. All he asks and all that will be given is a resolution declaring that he is justified in using the armed forces to compel redress of a specific indignity. He has been careful to distinguish between General Huerta and his supporters on the one side and the rest of the Mexican people on the other side. He has reiterated his friendship for the Mexican people and his desire to see them establish for themselves a constitutional government. The taking of the customhouse at Vera Cruz was made necessary by General Huerta’s refusal to make proper reparation for the arrest of the American sailors. The Constitutionalists are reported in the newspapers as standing aloof from the controversy. This is a very proper attitude’ and we hope they will not misunderstand the President’s position or misconstrue his acts.