File No. 812.00/11651.
The Secretary of State to Consul Letcher.
Washington, April 24, 1914.
Please express to General Carranza the pleasure and appreciation felt by the President because of the friendly spirit exhibited in his suggestion communicated in your dispatch of April 23; but explain to him that it would hardly be possible for the President to act upon that suggestion so long as General Carranza’s recent statement continues to be interpreted as it is now generally interpreted in the United States. If General Carranza could make it clear by another public statement that he stands neutral in respect of every matter that has arisen or may arise between the United States and General Huerta, that he will not assist Huerta or resist the United States in its effort to enforce specific redress for indignities which the officers of General Huerta have put upon the Government of the United States, such a statement will undoubtedly hasten General Huerta’s elimination, which all parties desire. General Huerta evidently is being encouraged to believe that the Constitutionalists will join him against the United States. So soon as he understands that they will not, he will cease to do the things which justify and oblige the United States to seek redress, and so relieve Mexico and the Mexican people of all danger of suffering directly or indirectly for General Huerta’s offenses.