File No. 812.00/15381.
The Brazilian Minister to Mexico to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, July 4—7 p.m.
I beg to send you translation of the following letter just received from the French Minister, Dean of Diplomatic Corps:
My Dear Colleague: As you know, at a meeting of the Diplomatic Corps held in my house yesterday, General Serratos, late Minister of War, who came as an interpreter of the views of the Conventionist Government, made before us some statements which are condensed as follows:
- 1.
- The feeling is growing among the people and the army that the Washington Government is openly in favor of Carranza; to him arms and ammunition are coming from the United States; to the Conventionists a few medicines are sent by the American Red Cross.
- 2.
- If the prolongation of the fight leads to another evacuation of the capital, the Government, owing to the excitement of the public mind, would assume no responsibility for the violences which may be committed in Mexico City and elsewhere either by mobs and [or?] the lawlessness of the soldiery, as [and?] in the midst of such chaos there would be scarcely any discrimination between Americans and other foreigners.
- 3.
- The Government of the Convention has given the best proof of its desire to reach an understanding with the enemy in order to promote an armistice between the factions which it is considered that even now would lead to the designation by the military chiefs of a Provisional President even should he be Carranza himself.
- 4.
- The intransigent and cutting way in which Carranza received the two peace commissions sent to him by the Convention throws upon him and upon the United States the responsibility of the consequences which will eventually arise from the prolongation of hostilities.
In the tragic crisis through which the Mexican nation is going such statements are of the highest significance. In the name of my colleagues and in conformity with our agreement I address you the above asking that you kindly transmit it to the White House with our wishes that every attempt be made in order to obtain the reestablishment of the peace so strongly wanted by the country and to avoid still greater calamities.
Lefaivre.