File No. 812.00/15185.
[Untitled]
Mexico City, June 9, 1915—4 p.m.
619. Will Department please transmit following:
The President of the United States of America:
Your public statement regarding the Mexican situation has encouraged not only Americans here, but the foreigners and patriotic Mexicans as well, who appreciate the value of your accurate presentation of conditions in this country. A constantly growing majority of the Mexican people look to the United States as the only source from which effective relief can come. Your message of information to the American people and your note of warning to the factional leaders of Mexico we believe are most timely. If most people of Mexico lack faith in the possibility of voluntary and lasting combination of Mexican chiefs along patriotic and unselfish lines it is because of the many lost opportunities during the last few years of futile turmoil and the entire record of Mexican history. The forbearance of the American Government towards Mexico in the past, its disavowal of selfish motives and the many evidences of its friendship for the Mexican people are rightly appreciated by most honest-minded Mexicans and your declarations will be misunderstood and distorted only by the military and perseverant minority which seeks its own appointments at the expense of suffering countrymen.
It is the general prayer that the “very short time” which you warn Mexican leaders will be allowed in which to accommodate their differences will be given the minimum interpretation, that impracticable makeshifts be not allowed to postpone a settlement of the present intolerable conditions. While a year ago your statement would have caused deep resentment, today it evokes expressions of hope among Mexicans of all classes that your demand will not be evaded by empty promises from factional leaders but enforced to the end that anarchy and hunger in Mexico be terminated.
The American Society of Mexico.
J. D. Helm, Secretary.