File No. 812.00/13193.
The Brazilian Minister to Mexico to the Secretary of State.
Mexico City, September 15, 1914.
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Fabela called on me yesterday and tried to persuade me that the Mexican Government, as at [Page 597] present formed, with the First Chief of the Constitutionalists in charge of the Executive Power and having the different departments without formal headquarters but merely directed by sub-secretaries and chief clerks, and with no tribunals, could be recognized by the United States and the Powers represented by the Mediators, according to the document signed for the peaceful occupation of the capital and the Niagara protocol.
More than that, he pointed out to me the necessity of the prompt evacuation of Vera Cruz. He added that there was a strong feeling among the military chiefs to force Carranza to make a forma]request of the United States for the evacuation and that a refusal would greatly increase the bad sentiment already aroused against Americans, with deplorable consequences.
I replied that, not knowing your ideas on either of these matters, I was not authorized to express an opinion.
If the Department finds it advisable and advantageous, it would perhaps be well to let the authorities here know as soon as possible, in the way you deem proper, what are your views and what conditions are judged to be necessary for the accomplishment of the two things above mentioned, namely, the recognition of this government and the evacuation of Vera Cruz.