File No. 701.1237/4

The Ambassador in Mexico ( Fletcher ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1105. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has issued the following statement with reference to the suspension of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Cuba:

In order to avoid distorted and malevolent interpretations the public is informed that the Government of Mexico by direction of the President of the Republic at a meeting of the Cabinet announces that it is under the most absolute necessity of retiring its diplomatic representative to the Government of Cuba, and of suspending for an indefinite time the sending of a new representative, as it considers this measure indispensable in behalf of the highest interest of the two nations at this time of the world’s acute crisis.

In effect, by reason of the state of war in which the Republic of Cuba finds itself at this time, the Cuban Government has been obliged to take steps which in many cases are prejudicial to the interests of the Mexican Government or its nationals;1 and for this reason the Legation of Mexico would unavoidably be forced to make frequent representations to the Government of Cuba, which would be useless, and would obstruct unduly the freedom of action of a friendly people who find themselves in a difficult situation. As a consequence our diplomatic representations would not produce at this time any appreciable practical results, and would solely create tenseness and bitterness, which it would be necessary to make disappear later in order to maintain unbroken the fraternal sentiments of solidarity which have always bound us to the people of Cuba, and to all Spanish-American nations.

In retiring its diplomatic representative from Cuba the Government of Mexico gives an eloquent proof of consideration and respect for the sovereignty of a friendly Government which is now passing through a critical period, and it is also a proof of confidence in that the Government of Mexico trusts that its citizens will be treated by the Government of Cuba with all the kindness its laws and institutions permit, under whose protection they will remain in that Republic on the same terms as its nationals.

In acting in this manner the Government of Mexico does no more than follow faithfully the policies outlined by Citizen Venustiano Carranza, President of the United Mexican States, so often proclaimed as the highest ideal of the true society of nationals, that is: The equality of nationals and aliens and complete submission to the national sovereignty.

After the crisis has disappeared, as that which originated the revolution in our country is now passing, Mexico and Cuba will be in a position to renew their diplomatic relations on a basis of justice and equality, the great and only aspiration of the Government of Mexico in its international relations.

Fletcher
  1. See vol. II, pp. 1729 et seq.