File No. 312.115/355
The Consul at Tampico ( Dawson) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the Department’s No. 397 of November 16, 1918,1 with enclosures of copy of despatch from the American Embassy at Mexico City, in which it reports that the Mexican Government has expressed its deep regret for the outrages committed against American citizens in this consular district, and that sufficient forces are being sent to the Tampico region to push the campaign against the bandits and thus be able to extend adequate guarantees.
The Department asks for comment. My view, based on the very distressing conditions existing in this district caused by the Government’s total inability to cope with, as well as lack of interest in the same, is that its promises in this particular case are as futile as its protests of regret are insincere.
If the Mexican Government had any sympathy for American citizens, it would long since have acted on its own initiative instead of waiting to be prodded by foreign Governments to fulfil its obligations. The Government has always had sufficient forces in this district to cope with banditry but the trouble is that they have not been used for that purpose. For political purposes the Mexican Government regularly announces a new campaign in the southern oil fields against the Pelaez revolutionary movement, which is separate and distinct from the existing disgraceful outlawry permeating the entire district and infinitely more moral and sincere in its treatment of foreign interests than is the recognized Government itself.
This so-called military action against the rebels is not only futile but farcical; but the Government illogically wastes its energies in [Page 686] attempting the seemingly impossible rather than coping with a live situation which is a reproach to itself and a real danger to foreign interests, but which could be eradicated if seriously and sincerely tackled. As far as such foreign interests are concerned (for which it now expresses solicitude) the Government could well afford to discontinue its fulminations against the revolutionary activities and devote some of its energies to clearing away some of the grave doubts which now befog its claim to consideration as a self-respecting responsible sovereignty.
I have [etc.]
- Not printed.↩