File No. 812.00/15381.
The Secretary of State to the Brazilian Minister to Mexico.
Washington, July 8, 1915—6 p.m.
808. Your 662, July 4, 7 p.m. While regretting conclusions of Conventionist Government, Department must disclaim any responsibility for interpretation put upon this Government’s acts by the Conventionists or for consequences intimated by General Serratos. The control of ports by factions regulates facility for importing arms. This Government favors no faction in this respect or otherwise. On June 18 Department telegraphed Silliman to say to General Carranza in part:
Say to General Carranza that the Government of the United States is watching with the greatest earnestness for indications that the leaders of the [Page 722] principal factions in Mexico are assuming a conciliatory attitude toward each other with the view to finding in the near future some common basis for an understanding which will result in peace, order and reconstruction in the strife-ridden Republic. Emphasize determination of United States to adopt such measures as may be expedient to preserve Mexico for herself and the world. Urge upon Carranza that he should go the full length of conciliation and conference with all the principal factions, with the aim of adjusting differences and restoring peaceful conditions which the opinion of the whole world demands. Impress upon him the utmost interest which the United States Government and the people generally throughout this country have in the early termination of personal jealousies and factional quarrels. They hope for and expect a unity of purpose on the part of the leaders to sink personal pride and aggrandizement, and patriotically unite in an effort to rescue the Republic from the present conditions, which are causing poverty and famine at home and discrediting the Mexican people throughout the world. If the leaders are inspired with these motives the United States is hopeful that a new state of affairs may result, which will pave the way to sympathetic understanding and mutual confidence between the two great neighboring Republics. In this view General Carranza cannot overlook the advantage and possible duty in not insisting upon the establishment of his own dominion over Mexico until he has exhausted all reasonable means to unite the contending parties in a common movement which will bring peace and order to the entire Republic.
On June 22 Silliman telegraphed in substance that, having taken up the matter, Carranza read him his proclamation exhorting all factions to submission, stating that under no circumstances would he treat with Villa; that the Constitutionalistas could not consider treating with the rebel chiefs Zapata and Villa; that it is not a question of personalism, and that Villa and his associates must submit to military trial or leave the country.
In view of this inflexible attitude of General Carranza a situation of the gravest nature is forced upon this Government, prompted as it is by feelings of deep friendship for the Mexican people. This Government has used its best offices to bring about a peaceful solution of difficulties afflicting the Mexican people, but its efforts have not always been met with a spirit of cooperation by the Mexicans themselves, whom it has desired to serve.
You might use your judgment in obtaining from the authorities in Mexico City a statement of their opinion after they have full knowledge of these facts.